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This can be hard to get your head around...especially if you're as awful with pH as I am. Still, let's just give this a think through.

What is pH? Well it's the amount of H+ you have floating around in a solution. The lower the pH, the more H+ there is floating around. Seems odd, but just remember that.

Specifically, it's the concentration of H+ floating around...and the pH can (very roughly) be said to indicate the position of the decimal point on this concentration. I'll give an example.

Say something is 0.1 mol dm-3 H+ ...this would be pH 1. At pH 4 it is 0.0001 mol dm-3 H+.

Water is the best example. We say neutral water is pH 7. This means the H+ concentration is 0.0000001 mol dm-3 in water...at room temperature!

Because what happens when we add heat? The H2O gains energy and dissociates more. H2O becomes H+ and OH-...in equal amounts. So we have more H+...and the pH value lowers.

That makes intuitive sense. We're adding energy and it's breaking apart. More H, lower pH at higher temperatures. What is important to realise, though, is that the water is still neutral. We have more H+, but we have more OH-. The water is NOT more acidic per se....the pH has just changed, that's all.

You get a lower pH, but you also get a higher pOH. pOH isn't measured like pH is, it's just 14-pH. But I think it's a nice way to consider things where water is concerned. Because with water alone, you don't get H+ without OH-, really.

pH + pOH always = 14.

So...that may be too much information So I'll try to sum up. pH is tricky and just sitting around and thinking about it for a few minutes can do you a lot of good. The answer is YES, pH is temperature-dependant. It's not often a big enough change to be relevant, but it's still fundamentally related to temperature.

However this doesn't always relate directly to a change in neutrality of the solution...which is not only an important thing to keep in mind, but also helps you understand this kind of thing as a concept.

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15y ago

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Related Questions

Can water affect the color of the pH paper?

i don't know that's why i asked you ... no, because pH paper only detects Acids and Alkali substances, water has a pH of 7 because it is neutral, but has no affect on pH paper :)


How do certain substances affect the pH level of tap water?

Substances like acids (e.g. lemon juice) can lower the pH level of tap water, making it more acidic. Conversely, substances like baking soda can raise the pH level of tap water, making it more alkaline. The pH level of tap water can be altered by adding these substances in small quantities.


What effects do insoluble substances have on the pH of water?

Insoluble substances do not directly affect the pH of water because they do not dissociate into ions in water. However, if the insoluble substance reacts with the water to form a soluble compound that can contribute or consume protons, it can indirectly influence the pH of the water.


PH of salts insoluble in water?

Salts that are insoluble in water typically do not affect the pH of the solution. This is because they do not dissociate into ions in water to contribute to the H+ or OH- ions that determine pH. If there are impurities or other substances present that can dissolve and affect pH, then the pH may change.


What is the importance of knowing pH levels of substances to the wider community?

substances of ph


What are the differences between alkaline and acidic substances and how do they affect our bodies?

Alkaline substances have a higher pH level, while acidic substances have a lower pH level. In our bodies, maintaining a balanced pH level is important for proper functioning. Alkaline substances can help neutralize acids and promote overall health, while acidic substances can disrupt this balance and potentially lead to health issues such as acid reflux or kidney stones.


How does salt affect pH levels in a solution?

Salt does not directly affect the pH level of a solution. pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, while salt is a compound made up of ions that do not directly contribute to the concentration of hydrogen ions. However, the presence of salt can affect the pH indirectly by influencing the behavior of other substances in the solution.


Does heating a liquid change its pH?

no it will not change the pH of water.


Why was it necessary to dilute substances f and m before measuring the pH?

Diluting substances F and M helps to ensure that the pH measurements are accurate and reliable. Dilution can prevent the substances from being too concentrated, which may affect the electrode response and result in erroneous pH readings. Dilution also helps to minimize potential interferences that may be present in the original sample.


What are the differences between pH levels in alkaline and acidic substances?

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Are all substances either acidic or basic?

No, not all substances are either acidic or basic. Some substances are neutral, meaning they have a pH of 7. Acidic substances have a pH below 7, basic substances have a pH above 7, and neutral substances have a pH of 7.


Why do some substances with high pH burn your skin while substances of similar pH do not burn your skin?

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