Velma and Shaggy's Mystery Machine Cleaning Solution Dilemma

Who is recommending the stronger cleaning solution, Velma or Shaggy? Why is their recommendation correct?

Velma recommends using a 0.25 M NaOH solution with a pH of 13.40. Shaggy recommends using a 0.025 M NaOH solution with a pH of 12.50.

Answer:

Velma is recommending the stronger solution.

Velma's recommendation of a 0.25 M NaOH solution with a pH of 13.40 is stronger than Shaggy's recommended 0.025 M NaOH solution with a pH of 12.50. The strength of a cleaning solution is determined by its concentration and pH level. In this case, Velma's solution has a higher molarity (0.25 M) compared to Shaggy's (0.025 M), indicating that it has more NaOH particles per liter of solution, making it more potent.

The pH value of a solution indicates its acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 13.40, as in Velma's solution, is highly alkaline, while a pH of 12.50, as in Shaggy's solution, is less alkaline. Therefore, Velma's solution is not only more concentrated but also more alkaline, making it the stronger cleaning solution compared to Shaggy's.