What does pH measure?

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Multiple Choice

What does pH measure?

Explanation:
pH measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) a solution is, based on the concentration of hydrogen ions. It’s the negative logarithm of [H+], so pH = -log[H+]. Because it’s a log scale, each unit change represents a tenfold change in acidity or basicity. The typical range is 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral; below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic. You measure it using a pH meter or pH indicator strips, which tell you how hydrogen-ion–rich the substance is. This concept matters in many practical contexts, like product formulation and skin/hair health, where the acidity or alkalinity can affect performance and compatibility. Temperature, density, or color describe other properties and do not define what pH measures.

pH measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) a solution is, based on the concentration of hydrogen ions. It’s the negative logarithm of [H+], so pH = -log[H+]. Because it’s a log scale, each unit change represents a tenfold change in acidity or basicity. The typical range is 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral; below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic. You measure it using a pH meter or pH indicator strips, which tell you how hydrogen-ion–rich the substance is. This concept matters in many practical contexts, like product formulation and skin/hair health, where the acidity or alkalinity can affect performance and compatibility. Temperature, density, or color describe other properties and do not define what pH measures.

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