pH directly indicates acidity: lower pH values indicate higher acidity.
Here's a breakdown of how pH relates to acidity:
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Definition of pH: pH (potential of Hydrogen) is a logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution.
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The pH Scale: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
- pH < 7: Indicates an acidic solution. The lower the pH value, the stronger the acid and the higher the acidity.
- pH = 7: Represents a neutral solution (e.g., pure water).
- pH > 7: Indicates a basic or alkaline solution.
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Hydrogen Ion Concentration: pH is inversely related to the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution. Acidic solutions have a higher concentration of H⁺ ions. The formula defining pH is:
pH = -log₁₀[H⁺]Where
[H⁺]is the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per liter (mol/L). -
Impact on Acidity: As the concentration of hydrogen ions increases, the pH value decreases, resulting in a more acidic solution. Conversely, as the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases, the pH value increases, resulting in a less acidic (more basic) solution.
In summary, pH is a direct measure of acidity. A lower pH means higher acidity because it signifies a greater concentration of hydrogen ions.
