Respuesta :
Answer:
Diluting an acid reduces the concentration of the H+ ions that cause acidity, while diluting a base reduces the concentration of the OH- ions that cause basicity.
Explanation:
The pH scale covers a range between 0 and 14 pH. A pH of exactly 7 is neutral. pH values greater than 7 are basic, while pH values less than 7 are acidic. The pH scale is logarithmic with a base of 10, meaning each integer pH value is 10 times more acidic or basic than the one preceding or succeeding it respectively. For dilution to decrease the acidity or basicity of a solution, the solvent being used must be less acidic or basic than this solution.
Alternatively, an acidic diluent may be used to dilute a basic solution, or vice versa, in a neutralization reaction. Because of the logarithmic nature of the pH scale, diluting a strong acid or base even slightly causes its respective pH to rise or drop considerably. Weak acids and bases with pH values close to 7 are correspondingly not as affected by dilution.
Dilution decreases the amount of acid or base molecules in the liquid thereby making the liquid less acidic or basic.
How basic or acidic a liquid is has to do with the amount of solute present in the liquid.
Note that the liquid is actually a solution. The acid or base was dissolved in water and two scenarios are possible;
- Amount of water greater than the amount of acid or base, in which case the solution is dilute
- Amount of acid or base greater than amount of water, in which case the solution is concentrated.
The more the amount of acid or base present, the more acidic or basic the liquid is.
So, if I add more water in such a way that amount of water exceeds the amount of acid or base present in the liquid, the liquid is now less acidic or basic because it contains less acid or base molecules compared to water molecules.
Learn more: https://brainly.com/question/1416865