Final answer:
The relationship between acidic-basic strength and pH is based on the concentration of hydrogen ions, where a pH below 7 indicates an acidic solution and a pH above 7 indicates a basic solution. The pH scale, with values from 0 to 14, measures acidity or basicity. Strong acids have a low pH, while strong bases have a high pH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between acidic-basic strength and pH is rooted in the concentration of hydrogen ions (H3O+ or simply H+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) in a solution. In simple terms, the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and serves as a measure to determine the acidity or basicity of a solution. A pH lower than 7 indicates an acidic solution, whereas a pH higher than 7 signifies a basic solution.
The strength of an acid is determined by its ability to donate H+. For illustration, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid because it completely dissociates in water, leading to a low pH. Weak acids, like those in tomato juice or vinegar, only partially dissociate, resulting in a less acidic pH. Similarly, strong bases like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) quickly release OH− ions, raising the pH, while weak bases like seawater, with a pH near 8.0, are less basic.