The pH of distilled water is approximately 5.8.
pH is the potential of hydrogen , a variable used as a measure of alkalinity or acidity . The term refers to the concentration of hydrogen ions ( hydrogenions ) that appear in a solution .
A pH scale ranging from 0 to 14 is generally used. When the solution has a pH lower than 7 , it is considered to be an acidic solution . On the other hand, if the pH is greater than 7 , it is an alkaline (or basic ) solution. When the pH is equal to 7 , finally, the solution is classified as neutral .
pH calculation
To calculate the pH, the negative logarithm to base 10 of the activity presented by the hydrogen ions is used. The greater the activity of the hydrogen ions, the greater the acidity ; On the contrary, the lower the activity, the higher the alkalinity.
The usual thing is to measure the pH of a solution using reagents that come in drops or strips . Thus, drops of the reagent are placed in the sample to see how it changes color and determine whether it is an acidic, neutral or alkaline substance, or the strips are dipped in the sample to analyze its staining.
The 7 Up drink
Although many people don't know it, the famous soft drink brand 7 Up (also written entirely in words, Seven Up ) received this name because its pH is "above 7" ; That is to say, it is not an acidic solution.
On more than one occasion, doctors recommend drinking this drink to their patients to counteract stomach problems characterized by an abnormal increase in acidity. Seven Up can regulate the level of acid in the stomach , especially if you remove gas before ingesting it.
By examining the pH of urine, various disorders and conditions can be detected.
Examples of the pH of different elements
Below we will see an example of each pH integer, starting with 0 and reaching 14, citing commercial products or widely known natural substances:
- pH 0 : battery acid.
- pH 1 : sulfuric acid.
- pH 2 : vinegar and lemon juice.
- pH 3 : certain soft drinks and orange juice.
- pH 4 : acid rain (entre los valores 4,2 y 4,4) y lago ácido (recién con un pH de 4,5).
- pH 5 : banana (between 5 and 5.3) and clean rain (5.6).
- pH 6 : clean lake (6.5) and milk (between 6.5 and 6.8).
- pH 7 : pure water.
- pH 8 : chicken eggs and sea water .
- pH 9 : baking soda.
- pH 10 : milk of magnesia.
- pH 11 : ammonia.
- pH 12 : soapy water (with soap).
- pH 13 : bleach.
- pH 14 : drain cleaner in liquid format.
Therefore, we can distinguish three types of pH: between neutral and basic, the products do not have inevitable negative effects, as occurs with acid rain , to mention one case.
It is worth mentioning that some aquatic species suffer serious consequences when the pH of their habitat begins to decrease: rainbow trout can die with values below 6; frog eggs, tadpoles, mayflies and crayfish, when the pH reaches 5.5; and no species of fish can support a value less than or equal to 4.2. Therefore, to guarantee the subsistence of fish, it is always important to measure the pH in aquariums, for example.
Cosmetic products must have a pH according to the skin's needs.
Its importance in different areas
pH control is very important in various areas. Since the level of acidity or alkalinity of the soil affects plant growth and crop development, this issue is relevant in agriculture and gardening . It must be taken into account, in this framework, that fertilizers can modify the pH.
In a swimming pool , meanwhile, the pH of the water should be between 7.2 and 7.6. When adding chlorine to prevent contamination, numbers may vary; Likewise, chlorine loses effectiveness if the pH is greater than 7.6. Using a pH meter or pH indicator paper to know the data and then act accordingly (using products to reduce or increase acidity) is a necessary measure to take care of the health of bathers.
The food industry is another sector where a lot of attention is paid to pH. The flavor of food is closely linked to this measure, as are the possibilities of preservation: the higher the acidity, the lower the probability of survival of bacteria and other microorganisms.
Uses of the acronym PH
It is important to mention that PH is also an acronym with other uses. In this framework, PH can refer to a horizontal property : a property that is part of a construction divided into apartments or floors.
In an eight-story building , in each of which there are two apartments or apartments, there are sixteen horizontal properties. The building, on the other hand, has sectors for common use and shared property (such as hallways or the entrance hall).
PH , finally, can also name a Humanist Party . This political group is affiliated with the Humanist Movement , created by Mario Rodríguez Cobos and followed by people from Europe , Asia , Africa and America .