Question

a scientist mixes an unknown powder into a beaker of water. he then uses an indicator and finds that the ph of the resulting solution is 8.5. what can he infer from this observation? the unknown powder was acidic. the unknown powder decreased the hydrogen ion concentration of the water the indicator used can measure only basic solutions. the powder contains hydrogen ions.

Explanation:

The pH scale ranges from 0 - 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic, and greater than 7 is basic. A solution with pH 8.5 is basic. Basic solutions have a lower hydrogen - ion concentration compared to neutral or acidic solutions. The powder made the solution basic, so it decreased the hydrogen - ion concentration of the water. Indicators can measure both acidic and basic solutions. Just because the solution became basic doesn't mean the powder contains hydrogen ions.

Answer:

The unknown powder decreased the hydrogen ion concentration of the water.