A friend of mine was looking over the definition of pH, and wondering if it is possible to have a negative pH level. From the equation below, it certainly seems possible—just have a $1.1$ (or something $\gt 1$) molar solution of $\ce{H+}$ ions: $$\text{pH} = -\log([\ce{H+}])$$ (Where $[\ce{X}]$ denotes the concentration of $\ce{X}$ in $\frac{\text{mol}}{\text{L}}$.)
If $[\ce{H+}] = 1.1\ \frac{\text{mol}}{\text{L}}$, then $\mathrm{pH} = -\log(1.1) \approx -0.095 $
So, it is theoretically possible to create a substance with a negative pH. But, is it physically possible (e.g. can we create a 1.1 molar acid in the lab that actually still behaves consistently with that equation)?
Answer
One publication for you: “Negative pH Does Exist”, K. F. Lim, J. Chem. Educ. 2006, 83, 1465. Quoting the abstract in full:
The misconception that pH lies between 0 and 14 has been perpetuated in popular-science books, textbooks, revision guides, and reference books.
The article text provides some counterexamples:
For example, commercially available concentrated HCl solution (37% by mass) has $\mathrm{pH} \approx -1.1$, while saturated NaOH solution has $\mathrm{pH} \approx 15.0$.
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