The pH Scale
Understanding the pH Scale
In chemistry, pH is a quantitative scale for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of liquid solutions. The scale runs from the number 0 to 14. The number 7 on the pH scale is neutral, not acid or base. The number 0 on the pH scale is a strong acid. The number 14 is a strong alkali. In the cleaning industry the word “alkali” is used to denote base. So the pH scale runs from 0 (acid) to 14(alkali).
On the pH scale each full number increase represents a tenfold increase of the acidity or alkalinity of the solution. It is a geometric progression by the number 10. So pH of 1 is 10 times more powerful than pH of 2. The pH of 3 is 100 times more powerful than pH of 4.
The numbers on the scale denote the “strength” characteristics of the solution not the “quantity” or dilution of the solution. Whether you have a drum of lye or a table-spoon of lye they both have the same strength characteristics (pH).
