Answer
The pH of that solution is equal to 8.59
Work Step by Step
1. Write the $K_w$ expression for the water equilibrium. Then substitute the value for $[OH^-]$, and solve for $[H_3O^+]$:
$[OH^-] * [H_3O^+] = Kw = 10^{-14}$
$ 3.9 \times 10^{- 6} * [H_3O^+] = 10^{-14}$
$[H_3O^+] = \frac{10^{-14}}{ 3.9 \times 10^{- 6}}$
$[H_3O^+] = 2.6 \times 10^{- 9}M$
2. Calculate the pH value
$pH = -log[H_3O^+]$
$pH = -log( 2.6 \times 10^{- 9})$
$pH = 8.585027$
3. Determine the right number of significant figures.
The $[H_3O^+]$ had 2 significant figures: $2.6 \times 10^{-9}$.
So, there must be only 2 numbers on the right of the decimal point of the pH.
- Round the number to 2 decimal places:
$pH = 8.59$
