pH Formula:
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Definition: pH is a logarithmic measure of the activity of hydrogen ions in a solution, determining its acidity or alkalinity.
Purpose: This calculator helps determine the pH value from the hydrogen ion activity, which is important in chemistry, biology, and environmental science.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The pH value is calculated by taking the negative base-10 logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity.
Details: pH measurement is crucial in many fields including water treatment, medicine, agriculture, and industrial processes. It affects chemical reactions, biological functions, and material stability.
Tips: Enter the activity of hydrogen ions in mol/L (default 0.000001 for neutral water). The value must be greater than 0.
Q1: What is the difference between concentration and activity?
A: Activity accounts for the effective concentration of ions in solution, considering interactions between particles, while concentration is the nominal amount.
Q2: What pH value is considered neutral?
A: At 25°C, pH 7 is neutral (pure water). Values below 7 are acidic, above 7 are basic.
Q3: How precise is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise, but real-world measurements may vary due to temperature, ionic strength, and other factors.
Q4: Can I use this for very concentrated solutions?
A: For highly concentrated solutions, additional corrections may be needed as the simple pH formula becomes less accurate.
Q5: What's the relationship between pH and pOH?
A: In aqueous solutions at 25°C: pH + pOH = 14. pOH is calculated similarly using hydroxide ion activity.