What is PH and why we use PH to determine both acidic and basic strength?

pH stands for "potential of hydrogen" and is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH value less than 7 indicates acidity, while a pH greater than 7 indicates alkalinity.

pH is important because it can affect the behavior and properties of many substances, including chemicals, minerals, and living organisms. For example, the pH of soil can affect the growth and health of plants, and the pH of water can affect the solubility and toxicity of various substances.

The strength of an acid or a base is determined by its pH. Acids have a pH value less than 7, and the lower the pH, the stronger the acid. For example, battery acid has a pH of 0, while lemon juice has a pH of around 2. Bases have a pH value greater than 7, and the higher the pH, the stronger the base. For example, bleach has a pH of around 12, while baking soda has a pH of around 9.

The pH of a solution is determined by measuring the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the solution. Acids have a high concentration of hydrogen ions, while bases have a low concentration of hydrogen ions. The pH scale is logarithmic, which means that a change of one pH unit represents a tenfold change in the concentration of hydrogen ions. For example, a solution with a pH of 3 is ten times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 4.