What is the pH scale and what does it measure?
Understanding the pH Scale
The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, with values ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while values below 7 indicate acidity and above 7 indicate alkalinity. In the context of acids and bases, lower pH values signify stronger acids, while higher pH values indicate stronger bases. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each unit change represents a tenfold difference in acidity or alkalinity. Understanding the pH scale is crucial in studying the properties and behaviors of various substances in chemistry.