The pH value of a sample of multiple-distilled water is

The pH value of a sample of multiple-distilled water is

zero
14
very near to zero
very near to seven
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
The correct answer is D) very near to seven.
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Pure water is neutral because the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) equals the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) produced by the auto-ionization of water (H₂O ⇌ H⁺ + OH⁻). At standard temperature (25°C), in pure water, [H⁺] = 10⁻⁷ mol/L. The pH is defined as -log₁₀[H⁺]. Thus, the pH of pure water is -log₁₀(10⁻⁷) = 7. Multiple-distilled water is highly purified water with most impurities removed. While it’s difficult to achieve a perfect pH of 7 in practice (e.g., due to dissolved CO₂ from the air forming carbonic acid, making it slightly acidic, or dissolved substances from the container), the theoretical and practical pH of pure, neutral water is very close to 7.
A pH of zero indicates a highly acidic solution (e.g., 1M HCl). A pH of 14 indicates a highly alkaline solution (e.g., 1M NaOH). Values very near zero would indicate strong acidity, which is not characteristic of pure water. Values very near seven indicate neutrality, which is the property of pure water.
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