A solution with a pH of 7 is considered

A solution with a pH of 7 is considered

• A. Acidic
• B. Amphoteric
• C. Neutral
• D. Basic

Answer: (C)

Understanding pH helps you see what’s happening with hydrogen ions in a solution. A pH of 7 sits in the middle of the scale, meaning the concentration of hydrogen ions equals the concentration of hydroxide ions. In pure water at 25°C, [H+] and [OH−] are both 1×10−7 M, so pH = -log10(1×10−7) = 7. That balance makes the solution neutral, not acidic or basic. If the pH were lower than 7, it would be acidic; higher than 7, basic. Amphoteric describes a substance that can act as both an acid and a base, but that property doesn’t define a specific pH. So a solution with pH 7 is neutral.

Understanding pH helps you see what’s happening with hydrogen ions in a solution. A pH of 7 sits in the middle of the scale, meaning the concentration of hydrogen ions equals the concentration of hydroxide ions. In pure water at 25°C, [H+] and [OH−] are both 1×10−7 M, so pH = -log10(1×10−7) = 7. That balance makes the solution neutral, not acidic or basic. If the pH were lower than 7, it would be acidic; higher than 7, basic. Amphoteric describes a substance that can act as both an acid and a base, but that property doesn’t define a specific pH. So a solution with pH 7 is neutral.