If a solution has a low pH, it is likely to be what type of substance?

Review for the KAMSC Honors Biology Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple-choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations to master key concepts. Prepare confidently for your semester exam!

A solution with a low pH is classified as acidic because the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with values below 7 indicating an increase in hydrogen ion concentration. In such solutions, the higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) leads to a lower pH, confirming the acidic nature of the substance. This relationship between pH values and acidity is a fundamental concept in chemistry, highlighting how acidity affects various properties and behaviors of solutions.

On the pH scale, a neutral solution has a pH around 7, signifying an equal concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions. Basic solutions, on the other hand, have a pH greater than 7, indicating a predominance of hydroxide ions (OH-). Buffers, while they can stabilize pH levels, do not inherently possess a low pH; they work to maintain the pH within a certain range, making them effective in various biological and chemical processes that require pH stability.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy