Question

Indicate whether each of the following pH values represents an acidic, basic, or neutral solution. 3.5?

1) Acidic
2) Basic
3) Neutral

Answer 1

A pH value of 3.5 represents an acidic solution. The pH scale is used to determine if a solution is acidic (< 7), neutral (= 7), or basic (> 7), with common examples including human blood (slightly basic), household ammonia (basic), and cherries (acidic).

Step-by-step explanation:

The pH value is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution; a pH exactly at 7 signifies a neutral solution, and a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution. So, a solution with a pH of 3.5 would be considered acidic. This is illustrated by common substances such as cherries (pH = 3.6), which are acidic, and milk of magnesia (pH = 10.5), which is basic. In contrast, pure water with a pH of 7 is neutral, reflecting an equal concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

Using this knowledge, we can classify the substances based on their pH values:

• Human blood, pH = 7.4, is slightly basic.
• Household ammonia, pH = 11.0, is basic.
• Cherries, pH = 3.6, are acidic.

Furthermore, understanding these principles is applicable to many biological processes, such as human digestion, where both acids and bases play crucial roles.