pH = -log[H+]
where:
* pH is the potential of hydrogen, a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
* log is the base-10 logarithm.
* [H+] is the molar concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the solution.
Explanation:
* The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
* Solutions with a pH less than 7 are acidic.
* Solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic (alkaline).
* A pH of 7 is neutral.
The equation shows that the pH is inversely proportional to the concentration of hydrogen ions. This means that as the concentration of hydrogen ions increases, the pH decreases, and vice versa.
Note:
* The concentration of hydrogen ions is usually very small, so it is often expressed in scientific notation.
* The pH equation can also be rearranged to solve for the concentration of hydrogen ions:
[H+] = 10^-pH
