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PH Maintenance

In this article, we will define what ph maintenance is. Additionally, we will also discuss the various uses and applications of this concept.

It is known that bases and acids do not generally react with each other if they have the same composition in the same proportion. Some react with great force, and others are moderate, while certain others do not show a reaction at all. To calculate the acid’s strength and foundations in quantity, a universal indicator shows different colours based on the different concentrations of hydrogen ions in the solution. Normally, the pH value of bases and acids is used to calculate their strength. So here, we will outline the definition of pH maintenance with its uses, applications, and examples. 

pH Maintenance Explanation

PH is defined as the negative logarithm of H+ ion concentration. The meaning of the word pH is, therefore, appropriate as the power of hydrogen.

PH is defined as the measure of an object’s alkalinity or acidity. A pH level of 7 is said to be neutral (e.g. water), while the range of pH above 7 is alkaline, and it is acidic below 7.

Introduction to pH Maintenance

pH maintenance involves the addition of an alkaline or acidic substance to a liquid to ensure that the measured pH falls within the desired range. Water control regulators have specified the pH range of wastewater which is discharged from commercial or industrial sites. For instance, commercial waste authorities typically maintain that pH emission limits must fall between 6 and 10.

The pH metre is a specific tool that measures the activity of hydrogen ions in a water-based solution that reflects SDT or its alkalinity expressed as pH. A pH scale can be defined as a scale to determine bases and acids’ strength. One has to use a litmus paper to define the nature of the solution. If a solution turns the litmus paper into red, it’s an acid; on the other hand, if it turns it blue, the solution is basic. 

The pH of Bases and Acids

The pH of the solution varies from 0 up to 14. And depending on that, we can say whether it is an acid or a base. 

Solutions with the pH value from 0 to 7 on a pH metre/scale are termed acids, and with the pH value from 7 up to 14 are called basic solutions. Any solution with a pH level equal to 7 is a neutral solution. The perfect example of a neutral solution is water. 

Solutions with the pH value of 0 are called solids with strong acid. In addition, acidity goes down as the value of pH increases from 0 up to 7, and solutions with the pH value of 14 are called the most basic mixture.

A base decreases with the pH value goes down from 14 to 7. The strength of bases and acids depends on the number of OH- and H. ions produced by the solution. 

Examples of pH Maintenance

Only a small amount of pH change can be supported by an organism. Any other change in pH can make life difficult. For example: in the case of acid rain, the pH of water is below 7. As it flows into the river, it lowers the pH of the river water, making life difficult for aquatic animals.

We know that our stomach contains hydrochloric acid that helps digestion. When the stomach produces too much hydrochloric acid during constipation, we experience severe pain and irritation. Therefore, we often use antacids or a soft foundation that increases the stomach’s pH with acid and, thus, reduces pain.

Germs present in our mouth sometimes lower the pH of our mouth by producing acids through the breakdown of food particles. Therefore, we are advised to clean our mouths with toothpaste (usually basic) to prevent its decay by maintaining pH. We feel a lot of pain when a bee stings as it injects methanoic acid with its sting. We are generally advised to apply baking soda or other soft creams as it helps maintain local pH.

pH is used both in day-to-day life and in science and industry. It is used for cooking (e.g., baking powder and acid to make sure baked goods rise), designing cocktails, cleaning products, and storing food. It is essential for the care of lakes, water purification, medicine, agriculture, chemistry, oceanography, engineering, biology, and other sciences.

Conclusion

This article gave a brief outline of pH maintenance. pH plays an important role in our body too. According to pH, we can decide if the product is acidic or basic, and we can check it with litmus paper. We also saw the importance of pH maintenance and how it is present across several industries. Additionally, we saw examples of how pH affects our lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

How to maintain the pH of the human body?

Ans. There is some alkaline food you should eat. Avoid acidic food like beans, forest fruits, and coconut. pH maintenance is important for the body...Read full

What is the best pH for the human body?

Ans. In our blood and body tissues, the maximum pH is about 7.2. The use of saliva and urine test kits will show a v...Read full

Is water pH important?

Ans. pH is the activity of acidic/basic water content. Water with free hydrogen ions is acidic, and water with free ...Read full

What is the pH of blood?

Ans. People have a normal pH from 7.35 to 7.45. This means the blood is already very alkaline or normal. The acid in...Read full

Who brought forward the concept of pH?

Ans. Almost 100 years ago, the director of Carlsberg’s chemistry, Søren Sørensen, developed an important diagnos...Read full