Chemical reactions and pH scale

Posted: August 5th, 2013

Chemical reactions and pH scale

            A chemical reaction is a process that rearranges the constituent atoms of one or more substance, either elements or compounds, known as the reactants to create a different substance known as the products. These reactions occur with the formation and breakage of chemical bonds due to the movement of electrons. Chemical reactions are because of an application of energy, which may be light, heat or electricity. Chemical reactions are characterized by a change in the chemical composition of the reactants. Description of chemical reactions occurs by the use of chemical equations that indicate the reactants, final products, reaction conditions and whether the reaction is permanent or reversible.

PH scale

The pH level of a substance is its measure of acidity or alkalinity, which is determined by the hydrogen composition in a substance. The pH scale ranges from 1-14 with a pH below seven said to be acidic with the acidity level rising with the lowering of the pH level. A solution with a range of 7.5-8.5 is said to be a saline solution and the range of 8.5-14 being alkaline with the level of alkalinity rising with the rise in the pH level. Pure water is said to have a pH of around seven at 25C.