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What is the pH of air?

Published in Atmosphere 1 min read

Air itself does not have a detectable pH. The concept of pH is defined for solutions, meaning substances dissolved in a liquid. However, air can contain gases like carbon dioxide, which can contribute to the acidity of the air when dissolved in water. Therefore, while air itself doesn't have a pH, the presence of dissolved carbon dioxide can impact the pH of water or other liquids exposed to it.

For example, rainwater can become slightly acidic due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, giving it a pH around 5.5. This is a natural phenomenon and part of the Earth's carbon cycle.

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