Final answer:
The pH level indicates a solution's acidity or alkalinity and is calculated by taking the negative logarithm of the hydronium ion concentration. A pH of less than 7 is acidic, greater than 7 is basic, and exactly 7 is neutral.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pH level is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It is calculated using the concentration of hydronium ions ([H3O+]) in the solution. The pH is found by taking the negative logarithm of the hydronium ion concentration. For example, if a solution has a hydronium ion concentration of 1.0 x 10-7M, the pH calculation would be pH = -log(1.0 x 10-7) = 7, which indicates a neutral solution. This process can determine whether a solution is acidic, basic, or neutral. A pH less than 7 indicates acidity, while a pH greater than 7 indicates basicity. The pH of pure water or a neutral solution is exactly 7.00. To ensure accuracy in reporting, the pH value should be reported with the correct number of significant figures, based on the precision of the given data.