(a) The pH of a sample of tomato juice is 4.6. How is this juice likely to be in taste? Give reason to justify your answer.

(b) How do we differentiate between a strong acid and a weak base in terms of ion-formation in aqueous solutions?

(c) The acid rain can make the survival of aquatic animals difficult. How?

(a) The pH of tomato juice is 4.6, which is less than 7 and substances with pH below 7 are acidic in nature so, tomato juice should be sour in taste due to the presence of natural acids such as citric acid and ascorbic acid in it.

(b) A strong acid in water completely ionises to produce a large number of hydrogen ions (H⁺), for example HCl is a strong acid as it easily produces H⁺ ion as shown below :

HCl(aq) → H⁺(aq) + Cl^-(aq)

A weak base, on the other hand, partially ionises in water and produces only a small number of hydroxide ions (OH^-), for example NH₄OH is a weak base as it ionises partially as shown below :

NH₄OH(aq) ⇌ NH₄⁺(aq) + OH^-(aq)

Thus, the strength of an acid or base depends on the extent of ionisation in aqueous solution.

(c) Acid rain lowers the pH of river and lake water, making it more acidic. Aquatic animals, such as fish, cannot survive if the water becomes too acidic because it damages their gills, skin and eggs and disturbs enzyme activity necessary for life processes. Hence, acid rain makes the survival of aquatic life difficult.