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 is pH Calculated?

pH is calculated using the formula:

Where:

• \( pH \) — pH value (dimensionless)
• \( [H⁺] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration (mol/L)
• \( \log \) — Logarithm base 10

Explanation: The negative logarithm transformation converts the wide range of hydrogen ion concentrations into a more manageable scale from 0 to 14.

3. Importance of pH Calculation

Details: pH measurement is crucial in various fields including chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental science, and industrial processes. It helps determine the acidity or alkalinity of solutions and is essential for many chemical reactions and biological processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hydrogen ion concentration in moles per liter (mol/L). The value must be greater than 0. The calculator will compute the corresponding pH value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a pH value of 7 mean?
A: A pH of 7 indicates a neutral solution, where the concentration of hydrogen ions equals the concentration of hydroxide ions.

Q2: What is the pH range for acidic and basic solutions?
A: Acidic solutions have pH values less than 7, while basic (alkaline) solutions have pH values greater than 7.

Q3: Can pH be negative or greater than 14?
A: Yes, for extremely concentrated acids, pH can be negative, and for extremely concentrated bases, pH can exceed 14, though these are rare in typical applications.

Q4: How is pH related to pOH?
A: pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C, where pOH is the negative logarithm of the hydroxide ion concentration.

Q5: What instruments are used to measure pH?
A: pH meters with glass electrodes are commonly used for accurate pH measurements, while pH indicator papers provide approximate values.