<–2/”>a >Quick Revision
Topic: pH scale and its day to day application
Definition: pH scale is the scale developed to measure the concentration of Hydrogen ion in a solution. Here ‘p’ in pH implies ‘potenz’ in german. The pH of a neutral solution is 7. for Acidic solution pH is less than 7 and for basic solution pH is greater than 7.
Application of pH in day to day life:
| S.no. | Application | Activity |
| 1. | Digestion | Release of HCL in stomach to create acidic Environment and eventually leading to breaking of food. |
| 2. | Tooth decay | If pH reaches below 5.5, tooth decay starts. Best way is to rinse mouth thoroughly after consuming food. |
| 3. | agriculture | Plants grow best in neutral condition. If pH<7 add quick lime or slaked lime. If pH>7 then add decaying organic matter. |
| 4. | Self defence by animal and plants | Protection by injection of acid and bases. For example When honey bee stings a person , it inject an acidic liquid into the skin. Rubbing with mild base like baking soda solution on the stung area of the skin gives relief. |
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pH Scale and Its Day-to-Day Applications
The pH scale is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Substances with a pH below 7 are acidic, while substances with a pH above 7 are basic.
pH is important in many aspects of our lives, including food and drink, body care, household cleaning, agriculture, and aquariums.
Food and Drink
The pH of food and drink can affect our taste buds. For example, acidic foods like lemons and limes taste sour, while basic foods like baking soda taste bitter.
The pH of food and drink can also affect our digestion. For example, acidic foods can irritate the stomach lining, while basic foods can help to neutralize stomach acid.
Body Care
The pH of our skin and hair can affect how healthy they are. For example, using too many acidic products on our skin can dry it out, while using too many basic products can make it oily.
The pH of our skin and hair can also affect how well we absorb certain nutrients. For example, we absorb iron more easily from food if our stomach acid is acidic enough.
Household Cleaning
The pH of cleaning products can affect how effective they are at removing dirt and grime. For example, acidic cleaners are good for removing grease and oil, while basic cleaners are good for removing dirt and grime.
The pH of cleaning products can also affect the surfaces we clean. For example, acidic cleaners can damage some types of wood, while basic cleaners can corrode some metals.
Agriculture
The pH of Soil can affect the Growth of plants. For example, most plants prefer soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
The pH of soil can also affect the availability of nutrients to plants. For example, some nutrients are more available to plants in acidic soils, while others are more available in basic soils.
Aquariums
The pH of aquarium water can affect the Health of fish and other aquatic life. For example, most fish prefer water with a pH of 7.0 to 7.8.
The pH of aquarium water can also affect the growth of algae. For example, algae tend to grow more quickly in acidic water.
Conclusion
The pH scale is a simple but important tool that can help us to understand the acidity or basicity of a substance. The pH scale has many applications in our daily lives, including food and drink, body care, household cleaning, agriculture, and aquariums. By understanding the pH scale, we can make informed choices about the products we use and the environment we live in.
What is pH?
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. It is a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH below 7 is acidic, and a pH above 7 is basic.
What is the pH scale?
The pH scale is a logarithmic scale, which means that each whole number on the scale represents a tenfold change in acidity. For example, a substance with a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 7, and a substance with a pH of 5 is ten times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 6.
What are some everyday applications of pH?
pH is important in many everyday applications, such as:
- Cleaning: Many cleaning products are acidic, which helps them to break down dirt and grime.
- Food: The pH of food can affect its taste, texture, and safety. For example, tomatoes are acidic, which gives them their tart flavor.
- Medicine: Some medicines are acidic or basic, and the pH of the stomach can affect how well they are absorbed.
- Swimming pools: The pH of swimming pools is important for keeping the water clean and safe.
- Agriculture: The pH of soil can affect the growth of plants.
What are some common misconceptions about pH?
Some common misconceptions about pH include:
- The higher the pH, the more acidic the substance. This is not true. The higher the pH, the more basic the substance.
- A pH of 7 is neutral. This is not true. A pH of 7 is neutral for water. Other substances can have a pH of 7 and still be acidic or basic.
- All acids are bad for you. This is not true. Some acids, such as citric acid, are found in many foods and are not harmful.
- All bases are good for you. This is not true. Some bases, such as ammonia, can be harmful if ingested.
What are some safety precautions to take when working with pH?
When working with pH, it is important to take the following safety precautions:
- Wear gloves and eye protection.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
- If you get pH on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.
- If you get pH in your eyes, flush them with water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
- The pH scale is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Substances with a pH below 7 are acidic, and substances with a pH above 7 are basic.
- The pH scale is important because it can affect the health of living things. For example, too much acid in the stomach can cause ulcers, and too much base in the blood can be fatal.
- The pH scale is also used in many industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare.
- Some common examples of acidic substances include vinegar, lemon juice, and battery acid. Some common examples of basic substances include baking soda, ammonia, and bleach.
- The pH of a substance can be measured using a pH meter or a pH test strip.
- The pH of a substance can be affected by many factors, such as the concentration of ions, the temperature, and the presence of other substances.
- The pH of a substance can be adjusted by adding acids or bases.
- The pH of a substance is important because it can affect the health of living things, the environment, and many industrial processes.
Here are some MCQs about the pH scale:
-
Which of the following is an acidic substance?
(A) Vinegar
(B) Lemon juice
(C) Baking soda
(D) Bleach -
Which of the following is a basic substance?
(A) Vinegar
(B) Lemon juice
(C) Baking soda
(D) Bleach -
The pH scale ranges from
(A) 0 to 14
(B) 1 to 14
(C) 2 to 14
(D) 3 to 14 -
A substance with a pH of 7 is considered to be
(A) Acidic
(B) Basic
(C) Neutral
(D) None of the above -
The pH of a substance can be measured using a
(A) pH meter
(B) pH test strip
(C) Both a pH meter and a pH test strip
(D) None of the above -
The pH of a substance can be affected by
(A) The concentration of ions
(B) The temperature
(C) The presence of other substances
(D) All of the above -
The pH of a substance can be adjusted by
(A) Adding acids
(B) Adding bases
(C) Both adding acids and adding bases
(D) None of the above -
The pH of a substance is important because it can affect
(A) The health of living things
(B) The environment
(C) Many industrial processes
(D) All of the above