If hydrogen ions increase in a solution, what happens to the pH?

Study for the Wastewater Lab Analyst Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Increasing the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution results in a decrease in pH. The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, where lower pH values indicate higher acidity. It is a logarithmic scale, meaning that each whole number change on the pH scale represents a tenfold change in acidity. When hydrogen ions increase, it indicates a more acidic solution, which correspondingly reduces the pH value. Therefore, as the concentration of hydrogen ions rises, the overall pH of the solution will fall, affirming that the correct answer is that the pH will decrease.

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