The pH Scale
pH Scale We use this scale to measure the strength of an acid or base. pH is defined as the –log[H+] pH can use the concentration of hydronium ions (H 3 O) or hydrogen ions. Because water is polar, it is constantly being taken apart and put back together. This results in H + /H 3 O + and OH - ions floating around while that happens.
pH Scale Acid Base
pH of Common Substances
pH of Common Substance 14 1 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x NaOH, 0.1 M Household bleach Household ammonia Lime water Milk of magnesia Borax Baking soda Egg white, seawater Human blood, tears Milk Saliva Rain Black coffee Banana Tomatoes Wine Cola, vinegar Lemon juice Gastric juice More basic More acidic pH [H 1+ ] [OH 1- ] pOH 7 1 x x
Acid – Base Concentrations pH = 3 pH = 7 pH = 11 OH - H3O+H3O+ H3O+H3O+ H3O+H3O+ [H 3 O + ] = [OH - ] [H 3 O + ] > [OH - ] [H 3 O + ] < [OH - ] acidic solution neutral solution basic solution concentration (moles/L) Timberlake, Chemistry 7 th Edition, page 332
pH pH = -log [H + ]
Testing pH We test pH with Litmus Paper. Adding a drop of whatever sample we want to test will cause the paper to change color. We then compare the color to the chart to estimate its pH level.
Testing pH