The pH scale measures acidity or alkalinity, with 7.0 being neutral. A logarithmic scale means each whole number represents a tenfold difference. Hydrochloric acid is highly acidic, while gastric acid and colas are lower on the scale. Pure water is neutral, while seawater and hand soap are alkaline. Aquarists use pH measurements for fish keeping. Tap water in many US cities is alkaline, but filters do not alter pH.
A pH (potential of hydrogen) measurement reveals whether a solution is acidic or alkaline (also basic or basic). If the solution has equal amounts of acid and alkaline molecules, the pH is considered neutral. Very soft water is commonly acidic, while very hard water is commonly alkaline, although unusual circumstances may lead to exceptions.
The pH scale is logarithmic and ranges from 0.0 to 14.0 with 7.0 being neutral. Readings below 7.0 indicate acidic solutions, while readings above indicate alkaline or basic solutions. Some extreme substances may score below 0 or above 14, but most fit within the scale.
A logarithmic scale means that there is a tenfold difference between each successive whole number on the scale. A reading of a 4.0 acid solution represents a tenfold increase in acid molecules compared to a 5.0 solution. The difference in acidity between a 4.0 solution and a 6.0 solution is 100 times greater (10×10).
Hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid is an extremely caustic solution that is at the far end of the acidic scale. This chemical is often used to lower the pH of highly alkaline waters, such as in the treatment of swimming pools and aquariums. Only small amounts of hydrochloric acid are needed, relative to the amount of water to be treated.
Gastric acid, or stomach acids, which help us digest food, are also low on the acid scale at 1.5 – 2.0. The colas come in at 2.5, even more acidic than the vinegar at around 3.0! It might also be surprising to learn that beer is slightly more acidic than acid rain and coffee only slightly less acidic.
Pure water has a neutral pH and human saliva hovers close to neutral, while our blood is slightly alkaline. Seawater reaches the scale between 7.7 and 8.3 and products such as hand soap, ammonia and bleach score high on the alkaline scale ranging from 9.0 to 12.5. Highly alkaline baking soda or baking soda is often used to raise acidic water base.
Aquarists rely heavily on related measurements for proper fish keeping. Large bodies of water such as lakes and oceans have very little pH fluctuation, making fish intolerant to swings. Decaying plants, leftover fish food, and even fish waste have a tendency to create acidity in an aquarium, while certain types of rocks and shells can continuously release trace amounts of calcium, increasing alkalinity.
Due to chemical water treatment and other factors, tap water in many large US cities tends to be alkaline with a pH close to 8.0. While drinking tap water with alkalinity isn’t harmful, the decline in tap water quality over the years has led many people to choose faucet filters or pitchers to remove chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, and other substances. These filters do not alter the pH of the water.
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