1. What is pH?

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. It is defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration. The pH scale typically ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pH formula:

Where:

• \( [H^+] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration in moles per liter (mol/L)

Explanation: The logarithmic nature of the pH scale means each whole pH value below 7 is ten times more acidic than the next higher value.

3. Importance of pH Calculation

Details: pH is critical in many chemical and biological systems. It affects enzyme activity, chemical solubility, and biological functions. Maintaining proper pH is essential in medicine, agriculture, water treatment, and many industrial processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter hydrogen ion concentration in mol/L. The value must be greater than 0. For very small concentrations, scientific notation may be helpful (e.g., 1e-7 for neutral water).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the pH of pure water?
A: Pure water at 25°C has a pH of 7, which is neutral, corresponding to [H+] of 1×10⁻⁷ mol/L.

Q2: What pH values are considered acidic and basic?
A: pH < 7 is acidic, pH > 7 is basic (alkaline), and pH = 7 is neutral.

Q3: Can pH be negative or greater than 14?
A: Yes, for very strong acids (negative pH) or very strong bases (pH > 14), though these are uncommon in most situations.

Q4: How does temperature affect pH?
A: The pH of neutral water decreases with increasing temperature as the water dissociation increases, though it remains neutral.

Q5: What's the relationship between pH and pOH?
A: pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C. pOH is calculated similarly using hydroxide ion concentration.