The pH notation is an
index of Hydrogen's
chemical activity in a
solution.
pH is a Log Scale Unit
of Measure, and is used
to express the degree
of acidity of a
substance.
Values will range from
pH 1 to pH 2 for strong
acids, through pH 7 for
neutral solutions such
as ultra pure water, on
up to values of pH 11
and higher for very
strong bases like
lye.
The centimeter is a
unit measure of length.
The gram is a unit
measure of weight.
Similarly, pH is the
unit measure we use to
say how much free or
active acid is in a
substance. The pH scale
goes from 0 to 14. A pH
of 0 means a very high
acid activity; a pH of
14 means a very low
acid activity. In
between these two
extremes is a pH of 7.
This is the pH of pure
water.
Addition of a strong
acid, such as sulfuric
acid (
H2SO4
) to water makes the
resulting solution very
high in active acid
concentration. This is
called an acidic
solution. The addition
of a strong base or
alkali material, such
as sodium hydroxide (
NaOH ), to water makes
the resulting solution
very low in active acid
concentration. This is
called a very basic or
alkali solution. Water,
which is neither very
acidic nor very alkali,
is said to be neutral.
The pH scale is a
quantitative way of
expressing the active
acid or alkali
concentration of a
solution.
Why pH is Important ?
The pH or acidity of a
solution is important
throughout all phases
of chemistry and
biochemistry.
In the Chemical
Industry ...
The efficient
production of nylon, as
well as other modern
fibers depends on rigid
pH control.
In Biochemistry ...
The pH of our blood is
normally controlled to
within a few tenths of
a pH unit by our body
chemistry. If our blood
pH changes as much as
half a pH unit, serious
illness will result.
Proper skin pH is
essential for a healthy
complexion. The pH of
one's stomach directly
affects the digestive
process.
In Agronomy ...
The pH of the soil
regulates the
availability of
nutrients for plant
growth, as well as the
activity of soil
bacteria. In alkaline
soils ( pH 8 and above
) the amount of
nitrogen, phosphorus,
iron and other
nutrients in solution
become so low that
special treatment is
necessary to insure
proper growth.
In Food Science ...
The efficient
production of food
products depends upon
careful pH control. The
proper curd size,
uniformity, and
structure of cottage
cheese is directly
related to the pH at
cutting time. Yeast can
ferment and leaven a
dough only within
certain pH limits.
Jelly will not gel
properly unless the pH
is in the 3.5 region.
In the Pulp and Paper
Industry ...
pH control is essential
to the proper operation
of bleaching plants and
wet-end processes.
Also, in order to
conform with
environmental
protection regulations,
the pH of wastewater
from these plants must
be controlled.
In Chemical Research
and Engineering ...
Accurate pH measurement
is necessary to the
study of many chemical
processes. The
researcher needs to
know the pH at which a
chemical reaction
proceeds at its fastest
in order. to understand
the reaction. The
engineer uses the
information to develop
practical commercial
processes.
In Environmental
Research and Pollution
Control ...
The pH of a river or
lake is important in
maintaining a proper
ecological balance. The
pH of the water
directly affects the
physiological functions
and nutrient
utilization by plant
and animal life.
Extremes in pH can
reduce a lake to a
lifeless, smelly bog.
Protecting our
waterways requires
constant monitoring of
industrial effluent.
Plating and metal
finishing plants tend
to produce acidic
wastewater, as do
mining operations,
Chemical plants often
have very alkaline
wastewater. pH
measurements are used
as a guide to the
proper neutralization
of these plant wastes,
as well as to monitor
the final effluent
quality. Occasionally,
an acidic stream can be
combined with an
alkaline stream to
produce a final stream,
which is close to
neutral. pH
measurements assure the
proper management of
this cost saving
technique.
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