AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Value of pH is determined between 0 and 14 that shows the alkalinity and acidity of the solution. pH 7 is considered as neutral.

Detailed explanation-2: -The range goes from 0-14, with 7 being neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base. pH is really a measure of the relative amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the water.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hence a range of 0 to 14 provides sensible (but not absolute) “bookends” for the scale. One can go somewhat below zero and somewhat above 14 in water, because the concentrations of hydronium ions or hydroxide ions can exceed one molar. Figure 1 depicts the pH scale with common solutions and where they are on the scale.

Detailed explanation-4: -But the scale does not have fixed limits, so it is indeed possible to have a pH above 14 or below zero. For example, concentrated hydrochloric acid can have a pH of around-1, while sodium hydroxide solution can have a pH as high as 15.

Detailed explanation-5: -The pH scale measures how acidic an object is. Objects that are not very acidic are called basic. The scale has values ranging from zero (the most acidic) to 14 (the most basic).