Final answer:
A substance with a pH of 5 is considered acidic. The pH scale dictates that any value below 7 is classified as acidic, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions than in a neutral substance with a pH of 7.
Step-by-step explanation:
A substance with a pH of 5 is described as acidic. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is considered acidic and anything above 7 is considered basic (alkaline). Since pH 5 is less than 7, it has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) compared to a neutral substance like pure water which has a pH of 7. An example of a common substance with a similar pH to 5 is black coffee.
Identifying the pH level helps in understanding the chemical property of a substance, which is crucial in many fields such as chemistry, biology, medicine, and environmental science.