what is the range of the ph scale

what is the range of the ph scale

3 hours ago 1
Nature

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

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