ACIDS, BASES, pH, BUFFERS

pH

A measure of acidity or alkalinity of water soluble substances (pH stands for 'potential of Hydrogen').

pH (concentration)

A change of one pH unit changes the hydrogen ion concentration by a factor of ten. For example, a solution with a pH of 1 has 10 times more hydrogen ion concentration than a pH of 2; One hundred times more hydrogen ion concentration than a pH of 3 and so forth.

pH scale

measurement system used to indicate the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in solution; ranges from 0 to 14.

(O is most acidic + and 14 is most basic + or akaline.)

acidic

Is the point 0 on pH scale an acidic, basic, or neutral solution?

neutral

Is the point 7 on pH scale an acidic, basic, or neutral solution?

basic (alkaline)

Is the point 14 on pH scale an acidic, basic, or neutral solution?

salt

An ionic compound made from the neutralization of an acid with a base.

acid

Any compound that increases the number of hydronium ions when dissolved in water. A substance that tastes sour, reacts with metals and carbonates, and turns blue litmus red.

base

Any compound that increases the number of hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. A substance that tastes bitter, feels slippery, and turns red litmus paper blue.

buffer

A solution that minimizes changes in pH when extraneous acids or bases are added to the solution.

disassociation

the process in which an ionic compound separates into its positive and negative ions in a solution.

neutralization reaction

a chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react in aqueous solution to produce a salt and water