On the pH scale, water at pH 7 is considered

On the pH scale, water at pH 7 is considered

• A. Acidic
• B. Basic
• C. Strongly acidic
• D. Neutral

Answer: (D)

On the pH scale, 7 marks a balance point where a solution is neither acidic nor basic. In pure water at room temperature the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are equal (about 1×10^-7 M each), so the solution is neutral. Since pH is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration, [H+] = 1×10^-7 gives pH = 7. If there were more H+ than OH-, the pH would be below 7 (acidity); if there were more OH-, the pH would be above 7 (basic). Therefore, water at pH 7 is neutral, not acidic or strongly acidic, and not basic.

On the pH scale, 7 marks a balance point where a solution is neither acidic nor basic. In pure water at room temperature the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are equal (about 1×10^-7 M each), so the solution is neutral. Since pH is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration, [H+] = 1×10^-7 gives pH = 7. If there were more H+ than OH-, the pH would be below 7 (acidity); if there were more OH-, the pH would be above 7 (basic). Therefore, water at pH 7 is neutral, not acidic or strongly acidic, and not basic.