Final answer:
Active charcoal typically has no effect on the pH of water it is chemically inert and does not release or absorb hydrogen ions that could change the pH level. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, indicating a neutral, acidic, or alkaline state of a solution. Charcoal is used in water purification mainly to remove contaminants through adsorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering how active charcoal affects the pH of water, it's important to understand that the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where anything below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. Active charcoal, also known as activated carbon, typically has no effect on the pH of water because it is chemically inert.
However, depending on the presence of other substances that might be released or absorbed by the charcoal, there could be an indirect effect. Active charcoal is widely used in water purification systems to remove impurities through adsorption, not to alter water pH.
Non-neutral pH readings result from dissolving acids or alkaline substances in water. An acid is a substance that increases the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution, thereby decreasing the pH. Conversely, a base can either release hydroxide ions (OH-) or capture hydrogen ions, which increases the pH of the solution.