pH (Potential of Hydrogen)
Definition - What does pH mean?
pH stands for 'potential of hydrogen' and is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH less than 7 indicates acidity, whereas a pH greater than 7 indicates alkalinity. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole pH value below 7 is ten times more acidic than the next higher value, and each whole pH value above 7 is ten times more alkaline.
Importance and Applications of pH
The concept of pH is essential in various fields such as chemistry, biology, medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. It influences numerous chemical processes and is vital in maintaining proper bodily functions. In medicine, pH is crucial for diagnosing illnesses, in agriculture, for soil and plant health, and in environmental monitoring, to assess the quality of water and its impact on ecosystems.
