pH is a fundamental concept in chemistry, pH full form is the potential of hydrogen where p stands for potenz (translating to power in German) and H stands for Hydrogen. It is actually the French term pouvoir hydrogen which translates directly to power of hydrogen. Let’s learn more about it!
What is pH in chemistry?
In short, it is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 considered neutral. A pH value below 7 indicates acidity, while a value above 7 indicates alkalinity. The lower the pH, the more acidic the substance, and the higher the pH, the more alkaline it is. For example, Lemon Juice is highly acidic with a pH of 2.0, pure water is neutral with a pH of 7.0 and Baking soda is alkaline (slightly) with a pH of 8.5.
What happens when pH levels in the body are too high or too low?
Blood pH that is too acidic (acidosis) or too alkaline (alkalosis) can have severe health issues. Acidic nature results in diabetes, frequent getting tired with fatigue or nausea, and in some extreme cases- coma. Alkaline pH in blood is marked by tightening and tingling muscle sensation, digestive issues and committing. Seek medical assistance immediately in both circumstances as prolonged high or low levels of the potential of hydrogen in blood can have permanent health issues.
Do we use pH in everyday life?
Although the pH full form is not widely known, its uses are.
- Medical: Doctors use pH levels of blood, the acidity of the stomach, levels in organs, etc. to identify health-related problems in their patients.
- Agriculture: The pH levels of soil are very important for crops, too acidic soil can hamper plant growth. The ideal range for most crops and natural life is 5-6. Farmers can get test kits and change the levels of alkalinity of acidity of their soil with recommended organic solutions to maintain soil quality.
- Water: For both, drinking water and the survival of aquatic life, extreme pH levels are harmful.
Understanding pH full form, or the potential of hydrogen, might be tricky when learning chemistry fundamentals for the first time. However, with practical examples, students can learn the topic better.
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