A neutral pH condition is considered to be what value?

A neutral pH condition is considered to be what value?

• A. Five
• B. Six
• C. Seven
• D. Eight

Answer: (C)

The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a solution is by the hydrogen ion concentration. Neutral conditions occur when the hydrogen ion concentration equals the hydroxide ion concentration, which happens at pH 7 under standard conditions (about 25°C). So a neutral pH is 7. Values below 7 are acidic (more H+), while values above 7 are basic (more OH−). The options 5 and 6 are acidic, and 8 is basic, so 7 is the neutral value. Note that strict neutrality is defined at standard temperature; changes in temperature shift the neutrality slightly, but pH 7 is the reference neutral value.

The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a solution is by the hydrogen ion concentration. Neutral conditions occur when the hydrogen ion concentration equals the hydroxide ion concentration, which happens at pH 7 under standard conditions (about 25°C). So a neutral pH is 7. Values below 7 are acidic (more H+), while values above 7 are basic (more OH−). The options 5 and 6 are acidic, and 8 is basic, so 7 is the neutral value. Note that strict neutrality is defined at standard temperature; changes in temperature shift the neutrality slightly, but pH 7 is the reference neutral value.