1. Notes: The pH Scale
The pH scale is used to measure the strength of an acid or a base.
pH scale runs from 0 to 14

2. Acid- a substance with a pH lower than 7.0
-The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution
- Acids form hydrogen ions (H+) when mixed with water.
Neutral- a solution in which the pH is equal to 7.0
-Water is an example of a neutral solution
- Number of H+ ions and OH- ions are equal.
Bases- have a pH that is higher than 7.0
-The higher the pH, the more basic (or alkaline) the solution
-Bases form hydroxide (OH-) ions when mized with water

3. 0 ------------------ 7.0 ------------------14 acid acid base base
pH scale:
Neutral
0  14
Strong  Weak   Weak  Strong
acid acid base base

4. Buffers
It is very important that different areas of our bodies maintain the proper pH levels in order for important chemical reactions to occur. Slight changes in pH can harm living things.
Buffers help maintain homeostasis by minimizing changes in pH.
Homeostasis: stable internal conditions
An example of a common buffer found in our blood is carbonic acid (H2CO3) which helps maintain the pH of our blood (which should be about 7.3).

5. Solution, Solvent or Solute?
Solute: the substance being dissolved
Solvent: The substance in which the solute is dissolved.
Solution: A mixture of the solute and solvent.