How can pH be represented in acid/base equilibrium?

The correct representation of pH in acid/base equilibrium is given by the expression pH = -log(H+). This definition of pH is based on the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution.

In an aqueous solution, the pH value provides a measure of the acidity or basicity of that solution. The negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration indicates that as the concentration of H+ ions increases, the pH value decreases, illustrating how more acidic solutions have lower pH values. This relationship is fundamental in acid-base chemistry and informs various calculations, including determining the strength of acids and bases, biological functions, and environmental science.

The other responses incorporate inaccurate or misleading formulations regarding pH. For instance, pH being expressed as the logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration (the third option, which is essentially flipped and positive) does not correctly represent how we derive pH values from H+. The fourth option resembles a formula that does not adhere to the standard pH definition, and the first option incorrectly relates pH to hydroxide ion concentration (OH-), which, while important in understanding the pH scale, does not directly calculate pH. Each of these alternatives misrepresents the relationship between hydrogen ions and p