1. What is pH?

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, calculated as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. It is a dimensionless quantity that ranges from 0 to 14, with lower values indicating acidity and higher values indicating alkalinity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pH formula:

Where:

• \( pH \) — pH value (dimensionless)
• \( [H^+] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration (mol/L)

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

3. Importance of pH Calculation

Details: pH measurement is crucial in agriculture, environmental science, medicine, and many industrial processes. In soil science, pH affects nutrient availability, microbial activity, and plant growth.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter hydrogen ion concentration in mol/L. The value must be greater than 0. For soil extracts, typical values range from 10⁻² to 10⁻¹² mol/L.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between pH and [H⁺] concentration?
A: pH is the negative logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration. A one-unit change in pH represents a tenfold change in [H⁺] concentration.

Q2: What pH values are considered acidic, neutral, and alkaline?
A: pH < 7 indicates acidity, pH = 7 is neutral, and pH > 7 indicates alkalinity.

Q3: Why is pH important in soil science?
A: Soil pH affects nutrient availability, microbial activity, and plant growth. Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Q4: How is soil pH typically measured?
A: Soil pH is usually measured in a soil-water suspension or soil-salt solution extract using a pH meter or test strips.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for other solutions besides soil extracts?
A: Yes, the pH calculation formula applies to any aqueous solution, including water, biological fluids, and chemical solutions.