Final answer:
If the pH is greater than 8, it indicates that the solution is basic or alkaline, which means it has lower acidity and a lower concentration of hydrogen ions compared to neutral water (pH of 7).
Step-by-step explanation:
If the pH is greater than 8, this indicates that the solution is basic (alkaline), rather than acidic. Acidity and the pH scale are closely related, with water at a pH of 7, representing neutrality. Solutions with pH less than 7 are acidic and have a higher concentration of hydronium ions than water.
Contrastingly, solutions with a pH greater than 7 are considered basic and have a lower concentration of hydrogen ions compared to water. Examples of basic substances include sea water with a pH of 8 and baking soda with a pH of 9.5. These substances contain fewer hydrogen ions, making them less acidic and more basic.
The pH scale is a measure from 0 to 14 that describes how acidic or basic a solution is. Therefore, a pH greater than 8 typically indicates a substance that is less acidic and more towards the basic end of the pH scale.