Yes, high hydrogen concentration means low pH.
Understanding pH and Hydrogen Ions
- pH stands for "power of hydrogen." It measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- Hydrogen ions (H+) are positively charged particles that determine the acidity of a solution.
- The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most alkaline.
The Inverse Relationship
The relationship between hydrogen ion concentration and pH is inversely proportional. This means that as the concentration of hydrogen ions increases, the pH value decreases, making the solution more acidic. Conversely, as the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases, the pH value increases, making the solution more alkaline.
Example
- A solution with a high concentration of hydrogen ions (e.g., 10^-2 M) will have a low pH (e.g., 2), indicating a strong acid.
- A solution with a low concentration of hydrogen ions (e.g., 10^-12 M) will have a high pH (e.g., 12), indicating a strong base.
