1. What is pH?

pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It's defined as the negative logarithm (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration. The pH scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline), with 7 being neutral.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pH formula:

Where:

• \( [H^+] \) — Hydrogen ion concentration in moles per liter (mol/L)
• \( \log \) — Logarithm base 10

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

3. Importance of pH Calculation

Details: pH is crucial in many chemical and biological processes. It affects enzyme activity, chemical reactions, and the behavior of many substances. Maintaining proper pH is essential in biological systems, industrial processes, and environmental monitoring.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hydrogen 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 does a pH value of 7 mean?
A: A pH of 7 indicates a neutral solution, where the concentration of H+ ions equals the concentration of OH- ions (as in pure water at 25°C).

Q2: What is the pH range for acidic and basic solutions?
A: Acidic solutions have pH < 7, neutral solutions have pH = 7, and basic (alkaline) solutions have pH > 7.

Q3: How does a change of 1 pH unit relate to H+ concentration?
A: Each whole pH unit represents a tenfold difference in H+ concentration. For example, pH 3 has 10 times more H+ than pH 4.

Q4: Can pH be negative or greater than 14?
A: Yes, though rare. Very strong acids can have negative pH, and very strong bases can have pH > 14 in concentrated solutions.

Q5: Why is pH important in biological systems?
A: Most enzymes function within a narrow pH range. Deviations can denature proteins and disrupt metabolic processes.