A pH value measures how acidic or basic a substance or solution is. It's a scale ranging from 0 to 14, with 7 representing neutrality.
Understanding the pH Scale
The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold difference in acidity or basicity.
- pH 0-7: Acidic. The lower the number, the stronger the acid. Examples include stomach acid (around pH 1.5-3.5) and lemon juice (around pH 2).
- pH 7: Neutral. Pure water at 25°C has a pH of 7.
- pH 7-14: Basic (or alkaline). The higher the number, the stronger the base. Examples include baking soda (around pH 9) and household ammonia (around pH 11-12).
Practical Implications of pH
pH is crucial in many aspects of life and science:
- Agriculture: Soil pH affects nutrient availability for plants.
- Medicine: Maintaining the correct pH in blood (around 7.4) is essential for human health. Deviations can be life-threatening.
- Industry: Many industrial processes, like manufacturing, require precise pH control.
- Environmental Monitoring: pH levels in water bodies indicate water quality and potential pollution.
A pH value, therefore, provides a simple yet powerful way to quantify the acidity or basicity of a substance, informing decisions across various fields.
