The pH scale is a numerical scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. It typically ranges from 0 to 14, where:
- A pH of 7 is considered neutral (pure water).
- pH values less than 7 indicate acidic solutions.
- pH values greater than 7 indicate basic (alkaline) solutions.
Each one-unit change in pH represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration, making the scale logarithmic
. However, the 0 to 14 range is a practical convention rather than an absolute limit. In extreme conditions, pH values can be less than 0 or greater than 14, depending on the concentration of hydrogen or hydroxide ions. For example, very strong acids or bases can have pH values outside this typical range
. In summary:
- Common practical range: 0 to 14
- Neutral point: pH 7
- Acidic: pH < 7
- Basic: pH > 7
- Possible extended range: below 0 or above 14 in extreme cases
This scale helps in various fields such as chemistry, biology, environmental science, and industry to quickly assess the acidity or alkalinity of substances
