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 hydronium ion concentration. The pH scale typically ranges from 0 to 14, with lower values indicating acidity and higher values indicating basicity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pH formula:

Where:

• \( [H_3O^+] \) — Hydronium ion concentration (mol/L)
• \( \log \) — Logarithm base 10

Explanation: The formula calculates the negative logarithm of the hydronium ion concentration to determine the pH value of a solution.

3. Importance of pH Calculation

Details: pH measurement is crucial in various fields including chemistry, biology, environmental science, and medicine. It helps determine the acidity or basicity of solutions, which affects chemical reactions, biological processes, and environmental conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hydronium ion concentration in mol/L. The value must be greater than 0. The calculator will compute the corresponding pH value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the range of pH values?
A: pH values typically range from 0 to 14, where pH < 7 indicates acidity, pH = 7 indicates neutrality, and pH > 7 indicates basicity.

Q2: How is pH measured experimentally?
A: pH can be measured using pH indicators, pH paper, or pH meters that detect the hydrogen ion activity in a solution.

Q3: What does a low pH value indicate?
A: A low pH value (below 7) indicates a high concentration of hydronium ions, meaning the solution is acidic.

Q4: What does a high pH value indicate?
A: A high pH value (above 7) indicates a low concentration of hydronium ions, meaning the solution is basic or alkaline.

Q5: Can pH be negative or greater than 14?
A: Yes, for very concentrated strong acids, pH can be negative, and for very concentrated strong bases, pH can be greater than 14, though these are uncommon in typical applications.