pH

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, representing the concentration of hydrogen ions (( \text{H}^+ )) present. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14:

• Acidic solutions have a pH less than 7, with 0 being the most acidic.
• Neutral solutions have a pH of exactly 7 (pure water is an example).
• Basic (or alkaline) solutions have a pH greater than 7, with 14 being the most basic.

How pH is Calculated

The pH is defined mathematically as:
[
\text{pH} = -\log_{10}[\text{H}^+]
]
where ([ \text{H}^+ ]) is the concentration of hydrogen ions in moles per liter. A lower pH means a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, indicating greater acidity, while a higher pH corresponds to a lower concentration of hydrogen ions, indicating a more basic solution.

Importance of pH

• Biological processes: Many biological systems, like blood and cellular fluids, rely on a specific pH range to function properly.
• Chemical reactions: pH influences the rate and outcome of chemical reactions, affecting industrial processes, pharmaceuticals, and lab experiments.
• Environmental impact: The pH of soil and water affects plant and animal life, with deviations from a neutral pH often having detrimental effects.

Monitoring and controlling pH is crucial in fields like medicine, biology, agriculture, and environmental science.