I know of the 1 – 10 scale and pure water is a ‘neutral 7’ or something but what decides the number? What’s main difference between a substance at 1 and another at 10 on the scale?
In: 6
The number of hydrogen ions in the solution. IIRC pH stands for power of hydrogen or something. As you add more, the pH decreases. Every time you go down 1 on the scale you need vastly more H+ ions to get to the next step. If you plotted the pH number on a scale of 1 to 14 it would be at a maximum at one, then fall quickly at first as the pH increases until the fall becomes less at higher numbers. Others will step in with more, but that should get you started.
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