pH: the mathematical power of hydrogen 🔍Have you ever wondered what pH really means? pH is a key chemical quantity representing the negative ...
Published on by Fabio Hüther, PhD h.c. Eng.
Have you ever wondered what pH really means? pH is a key chemical quantity representing the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. 📉
📏 Mathematical basis:
- pH is defined as ( pH = -log10 [H+] ). This means that each unit on the pH scale represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration.
A low pH (below 7) indicates a high concentration of H⁺ ions, making the solution acidic. A higher pH (above 7) indicates a higher concentration of OH⁻ ions and thus a basic solution.
🔄 Chemical equilibrium:
In a neutral solution, such as pure water, the concentrations of H⁺ and OH⁻ are equal, resulting in a pH of 7.
If the pH decreases, the concentration of H⁺ ions increases while the OH⁻ ions decrease, and vice versa.
This logarithmic scale is crucial for many scientific and industrial applications, from biochemistry to environmental science. It helps us understand the reactivity and stability of solutions. 🌿🌍
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- Chemistry