Acid is not either 0 or 14. According to the provided reference, a pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 where a pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is basic. Therefore, acid is any value below 7.
Here's a breakdown:
| pH Value | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6.9 | Acidic | Substances with a pH less than 7. |
| 7 | Neutral | Substances neither acidic nor basic. |
| 7.1-14 | Basic | Substances with a pH greater than 7. |
Understanding the pH Scale
- The pH scale is a logarithmic scale, meaning each whole number change in pH represents a tenfold change in acidity or basicity.
- Examples of acidic substances include lemon juice (pH ~2), vinegar (pH ~3), and battery acid (pH ~1).
- Examples of basic substances include bleach (pH ~13), soap (pH ~9-10) and baking soda (pH ~8).
- Pure water is considered neutral, having a pH of 7.
- The pH scale is used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution.
- Understanding the pH scale helps determine the chemical properties of different substances.
Therefore, acid is not a single number; it is a range of values on the pH scale below 7.
