Explanation:
pH represents the hydrogenionic potential and pOH is the hydroxylionic potential of the solutions. These are logarithmic scales used to measure the acidic and basic character of a sample. The values that compose them vary from 0 to 14 and were obtained from the ionic balance of water. A neutral solution has a pH of 7. Values below 7 classify solutions as acidic, while solutions after 7 are basic. With the pH value in hand, it is possible to find the corresponding value on the pOH scale, just by subtracting.
pH + pOH = 14
In this case, we have pOH = 5.3, so:
pH + 5.3 = 14
pH = 14 - 5.3
pH = 8.7
This means that this solution has pH = 8.7. It is a slightly basic solution.
Answer: slightly basic