Final answer:
The claim that a food with a pH of 5 is 30 times more acidic than a food at pH 6 is false; it is actually 10 times more acidic, as the pH scale is logarithmic with each whole number representing a tenfold change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a food with a pH of 5 is 30 times more acidic than a food at pH 6 is false. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number on the scale represents a tenfold difference in acidity or basicity. Therefore, a substance with a pH of 5 is actually 10 times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 6. The significance of pH scale is important because it can affect biochemical processes and the behavior of substances. For example, the enzyme pepsin in the stomach works optimally in an acidic environment and is crucial for protein digestion.