* pH Scale: The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It ranges from 0 to 14.
* pH 7: A neutral solution has an equal number of H+ and OH- ions.
* pH < 7: An acidic solution has more H+ ions.
* pH > 7: A basic solution has more OH- ions.
* Examples of Basic Solutions:
* Sodium hydroxide (NaOH): Commonly called lye, it dissolves to form Na+ and OH- ions.
* Ammonia (NH3): When dissolved in water, it reacts to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
* Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2): Found in lime, it produces Ca2+ and OH- ions.
* Many cleaning products: Many cleaning agents are basic solutions to help break down grease and grime.
Key Points:
* Hydroxide ions (OH-) are characteristic of basic solutions.
* Hydrogen ions (H+) are characteristic of acidic solutions.
* A solution's pH indicates whether it is acidic, basic, or neutral.
