acids bases and ph
Acids, bases, and pH are fundamental concepts crucial to understanding chemical reactions and the properties of solutions. An acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions, while a base accepts them. The pH scale, ranging from 0 to 14, measures the hydrogen ion concentration, indicating whether a solution is acidic (pH < 7), neutral (pH = 7), or basic/alkaline (pH > 7). Grasping these principles is essential across various scientific disciplines, from biology to environmental chemistry.