In order to find the [H+] ion content of H2SO4 (Sulphuric Acid), why must you divide by two after using the formula for pH calculation?
This is because H2S04 is a diprotic acid. If we look at how the acid dissiociates, we can see that:
H2SO4----------> 2H++SO42-
Since there are two H+ ions dissociating, using the formula for pH would give the H+ ion content within the whole acid, i.e 2H+
Dividing it by two would equate to a singular H+, which is what the question asks.
JJ
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