Water’s PH: Neutral, Acidic, Or Basic

Did you recently greet with a question like what is water’s pH? You were caught off guard and are now in search of an answer? It’s not new for a student or even people dealing with chemicals in real life to come across the question like, what is water’s pH?

So, what is your first response to this question? Do you ask a beginner-level question, What is pH? Or is your question directly about how to calculate or know the pH of water? 

Whatever might your questions be, from the Beginners level to the Advanced, this will prove to be the perfect answer to your questions! So, with no further due, let’s roll!

What is pH?

The following points are necessary for understanding the pH, or you might find them easier to understand pH,

• This is a common term played around within the field of Chemistry, Agronomy, and Biology.
• In most common terms, pH can be defined as quantitatively measuring the Basicity or Acidity of a particular solution. 
• The pH value can translate the number of hydrogen ions in a solution on a scale of 0 to 14.
• The Acidity and Basicity is determined as below,
  • pH value lesser than 7 makes the solution acidic.
  • A pH value of 0 makes the solution neutral (Neither acidic nor basic).
  • A pH value greater than 7 makes the solution basic. 
• pH is usually calculated by bringing in use a pH scale (ranges from 0 – 14)
• Litmus paper also helps test pH, but there is no numerically accurate value determined. You only find nature (either acidic or basic).

What is the composition of water?

Water is the abundantly found natural resource throughout the earth. The pH of pure water is neutral. This can be cleared to you by watching this video.

Its chemical composition can be very easily defined by its chemical formula, H2O. Therefore, we can conclude the following points,

• Water contains two parts of Hydrogen per part of Oxygen. 
• Therefore, the ratio of components in water can be put forth as H: O::2:1. 

Why is pH important?

The pH is important because,

In the Field of Agriculture

• Help understand the minerals present in the soil.
• The understanding of minerals’ availability can lead to a proper selection of the crops for the soil. 
• Most of the plants are seen flourishing under the pH range of 6 to 7. 

In the Aquaculture Field

• Water can be hazardous to the health of aquatic life due to the higher or lower values of pH.
• Knowing the pH values help determine the compatibility of water with nourishing life. 

Maintenance of a Swimming Pool

• Higher values of pH, than 7.2 or 7.4, for a swimming pool, can cause the disinfectant (composed of chlorine) to be a no show.
• Lower pH values can cause,
  • burning of the eyes.
  • Corroded metal surfaces

Treatment of Water

• Drinking water should have a pH of 6.5. to 8.5. This can only be determined by knowing the pH values. 
• If the pH value also determines the water needs treatment, it currently has. 

What is water’s pH?

Water in its purest form has a pH of 7. I.e., So that’s the value that lies at the center of a pH scale. But there might be particles in the water which add to the changes brought on the pH of water. Therefore normally, water can be found between the range of 6.5 to 8.5 pH value. 

The table containing various values for pH of common drinks available

Frequently Asked Questions –

• What Is Water’s pH?

Water has a certain pH of 7 when it is at its purest, but it may vary lower or higher depending upon the impurities 

• Is there a standard pH for drinking water?

With water being our daily necessity, it is ok for its pH to be under 6.5 to 7.5, but the best always is in the center that is 7.

• What does the term ‘pH’ stand for?

The term pH stands for “Potential for Hydrogen.”

 Conclusion

Though water may just seem like just another necessity of our life, this tells us it is most definitely more than that a universal solvent and a neutral constant that surely has to do with its pH i.e 7 when it has no impurities and is at its purest.