1. What is pH?

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. It is defined as the negative base-10 logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, values less than 7 acidic, and values greater than 7 basic.

2. How Does the pH Calculation Work?

The calculator uses the pH formula:

Where:

• \( [H^+] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration (mol/L)
• \( \log_{10} \) — Base-10 logarithm

Explanation: The formula calculates pH by taking the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. This logarithmic scale allows for a wide range of concentrations to be represented on a manageable scale.

3. Importance of pH Calculation

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

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 pH value using the logarithmic formula.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use a logarithmic scale for pH?
A: The logarithmic scale allows representation of a wide range of hydrogen ion concentrations (from 1 to 10^-14 mol/L) on a manageable 0-14 scale.

Q2: What is the relationship between pH and pOH?
A: pH + pOH = 14 at 25°C. pOH is calculated similarly using hydroxide ion concentration: pOH = -log10([OH-]).

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise. However, actual pH measurements may vary due to temperature, ionic strength, and other factors affecting hydrogen ion activity.

Q4: Can I calculate [H+] from pH?
A: Yes, the inverse calculation is [H+] = 10^(-pH).

Q5: What are some typical pH values?
A: Battery acid: ~0.5, Lemon juice: ~2.0, Pure water: 7.0, Sea water: ~8.0, Bleach: ~12.5.