{"id":8366,"date":"2013-10-29T21:33:42","date_gmt":"2013-10-29T21:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=8366"},"modified":"2026-03-25T15:16:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:16:31","slug":"ph","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/ph\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview of pH Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_0LJN_VdnKYQ\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_0LJN_VdnKYQ\" data-source-videoID=\"0LJN_VdnKYQ\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Overview of pH Levels Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Overview of pH Levels\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_0LJN_VdnKYQ:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_0LJN_VdnKYQ {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/669-overview-of-ph-levels-2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_0LJN_VdnKYQ\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_0LJN_VdnKYQ\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Overview of pH Levels\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_0LJN_VdnKYQ\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_0LJN_VdnKYQ\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_0LJN_VdnKYQ\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction a1R_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"a1R\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"a1R_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"a1R\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#What_is_pH\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">What is pH?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#pH_Acidity\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">pH Acidity<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#RealWorld_Examples\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Real-World Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hey, guys! Welcome to this video on pH levels.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_pH\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>What is pH?<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe pH value of a solution is a measure of its acidity. Most solutions have a pH value between 0 and 14 on the pH scale.<\/p>\n<p>Solutions with a pH value of 7, at the middle of the pH scale, are called <strong>neutral<\/strong>. If a solution has a pH value smaller than 7, it\u2019s called <strong>acidic<\/strong>. If the pH value is larger than 7, the solution is called <strong>basic<\/strong> or alkaline. <\/p>\n<p>For instance, vinegar has a pH value of 2.4 and is acidic, pure <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/properties-of-water\/\">water<\/a> has a pH value of 7 and is neutral, and household bleach has a pH value of 13 and is basic. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-64645 aligncenter\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale.png\" alt=\"pH Scale\" width=\"499\" height=\"701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale.png 1866w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale-214x300.png 214w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale-730x1024.png 730w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale-768x1078.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale-1094x1536.png 1094w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Ph-Scale-1459x2048.png 1459w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"pH_Acidity\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>pH Acidity<\/h2>\n<p>\nNote a solution that is more acidic has a smaller pH value. That has to do with the definition of pH. Generally, the acidity of a solution is defined by the concentration of hydronium ions in it. The higher the concentration of hydronium ions, the more acidic the <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/solutions\/\">solution<\/a>. For instance, a solution with a 0.5 M concentration of hydronium ions is more acidic than a solution with a 0.05 M concentration of hydronium ions.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"RealWorld_Examples\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Real-World Examples<\/h2>\n<p>\nLet\u2019s look at a few common substances and where they fall on the pH scale. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Battery acid<\/strong>, a very corrosive substance, is a strong acid, therefore it falls on the lower end of the pH scale with a pH of approximately 1.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\">The <strong>gastric juices<\/strong> in your stomach, which help you to digest food, are acidic, too, with a pH value somewhere between 1.5 and 3.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Lemon juice<\/strong> contains a citric acid and has a pH value of 2 to 3, just like vinegar.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\">Most <strong>soft drinks<\/strong> are quite acidic with pH values between 2.5 and 4. This is one of the reasons dentists don\u2019t want you to drink soft drinks: the acid in soft drinks dissolves the enamel of your teeth. Milk is a lot better for your teeth, with a pH of approximately 6.5.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Rainwater<\/strong> is somewhat acidic, with a pH of approximately 5. However, industrial pollutants can make rainwater more acidic, with a pH value anywhere between 2 and 4, which can be damaging to plant life. <\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Pure water<\/strong> is neutral with a pH of 7.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Blood<\/strong> is slightly basic, with a pH value of 7.4.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Seawater<\/strong> has a pH value of approximately 8.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\">Solutions of <strong>baking soda<\/strong> are mildly basic with a pH value of 8.4, therefore baking soda is used to clean up small acid spills in chemistry labs.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom: 14px;\"><strong>Soapy water<\/strong> has a pH value of 9 to 10, which helps to remove the grease from your skin or from dirty dishes.<\/li>\n<li>Just as strongly acidic solutions pose hazards, so does strongly basic solutions. <strong>Lye<\/strong>, <strong>oven cleaner<\/strong>, and <strong>household bleach<\/strong> have a pH value of approximately 13, so be careful around them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thanks for watching this overview of pH levels. See you guys next time!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is pH?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>pH is a measure of how acidic or basic an aqueous solution is based on the amount of hydrogen ions in the substance.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What does pH stand for?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>pH stands for &#8220;potential of hydrogen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is pH balance?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>pH balance refers to the levels or ratio of acids and bases in your body at which your body functions best.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the pH of water?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The pH of pure water is 7, which is considered neutral. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How do you calculate pH?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>To calculate a solution&#8217;s pH you must know the concentration (molarity) of hydronium ions (H3O<sup>+<\/sup>). From there you multiply -log<sub>10<\/sub> by the molar hydrogen ion concentration. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What does pH measure?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>pH measures how acidic or basic a solution is based on its hydrogen ion content.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a pH scale?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The pH scale is a range from 0 to 14 used to interpret the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. 7 is considered neutral, while values above 7 are basic and values below 7 are acidic. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/chemistry\/\">Return to Chemistry Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Chemistry Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99664,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-8366","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-chemistry-acids-and-bases","7":"page_category-safe-and-effective-care-environment","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-science"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8366"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279463,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8366\/revisions\/279463"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}