pH (Acidity level)

pH, term indicating the hydrogen ion (positively charged

hydrogen atom) concentration of a solution, a measure of
the solutions acidity. Hydrogen ions are usually
represented by the symbol H+. The term (from French
pouvoir hydrogne, hydrogen power) is defined as the
negative logarithm of the concentration of H+ ions: pH =
-log10[H+], where [H+] is the concentration of H+ ions in
moles per liter (see Mole). Because H+ ions associate with
water molecules to form hydronium (H3O+) ions (see Acids
and Bases), pH also is often expressed in terms of the
concentration of hydronium ions.

pH (Acidity level)

In pure water at 22 C (72 F), H3O+ and hydroxyl (OH-) ions

exist in equal quantities; the concentration of each is 1 x 10-7
moles/liter, creating a neutral solution. Consequently, the pH
of pure water is log (1 x 10-7), which equals log (1 x 107), or 7.
If acid is added to water, however, an excess of H3O+ ions is
formed: H+ (acid) plus H2O (water) yields H3O+ (hydronium
ions). When the concentration of H3O+ exceeds the
concentration of OH-, the solution becomes acidic. In an acidic
solution, the concentration of hydronium (H3O+) ions can range
from 1 to 1 x 10-7 moles/liter (but not including 1 x 10-7),
depending on the strength and amount of the acid. Therefore,
acid solutions have a pH ranging from 0 up to, but not
including, 7. Acids with lower numbers are stronger. Inversely,
when the concentration of OH- exceeds the concentration of
H3O+, the solution becomes basic. In a basic solution, the
concentration of hydroxyl (OH-) ions can range from 1 to 1 x
10-7 moles/liter (but not including 1 x 10-7). This corresponds to
a concentration of hydronium ions that ranges from 1 x 10-14 to
(but not including) 1 x 10-7 moles/liter. Therefore, basic

pH (Acidity
level)

The pH of a solution can be measured by

titration, which consists of the neutralization of
the acid (or base) by a measured quantity of base
(or acid) of known concentration, in the presence
of an indicator (a compound the color of which
depends on the pH). The pH of a solution can also
be determined directly by measuring the electric
potential arising at special electrodes immersed
in the solution (see Chemical Analysis).