Flashcards on The pH Scale and Its Applications

The pH Scale and Its Applications: A Student Guide

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What does pH measure in a solution?

How acidic or alkaline (basic) the solution is, using numbers.

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pH, Acidity and Alkalinity

21 cards

Card 1

Question: What does pH measure in a solution?

Answer: How acidic or alkaline (basic) the solution is, using numbers.

Card 2

Question: Who invented the pH scale and why?

Answer: Søren Peder Sørensen, a Danish chemist, invented it in 1909 to measure how acidic beer was.

Card 3

Question: What is the pH of a neutral substance like pure water?

Answer: pH 7 is neutral.

Card 4

Question: On the pH scale, what pH values indicate an acid and what values indicate an alkali?

Answer: Acids have pH less than 7; alkalis have pH greater than 7.

Card 5

Question: How does pH relate to how acidic or alkaline a solution is?

Answer: Lower pH means more acidic; higher pH means more alkaline.

Card 6

Question: Name one method to measure pH that gives a quick estimate.

Answer: Universal indicator paper or solution (mixture of indicators) gives a range of colours to estimate pH.

Card 7

Question: Name a more accurate method for measuring pH.

Answer: Using a pH meter.

Card 8

Question: What colours might a universal indicator show across the pH range?

Answer: Typical colours range from red, orange, yellow (acid) through green (neutral) to blue and purple (alkali).

Card 9

Question: Why is measuring pH important in the environment?

Answer: To check water and rain quality, detect acid pollution from factories, and protect wildlife and waterways.

Card 10

Question: What could cause acid rain and why is it harmful?

Answer: Pollution from factories producing acidic waste can cause acid rain, which can harm wildlife and waterways.