thcrefugee
Member
who Actually knows what this is and how it works?
Ive been reading crap on the internet lately, that just makes me laugh. Its been so much harder to actually learn what pH is and how it works, after "learning" about pH from reading post after post.
Now, after some formal learning at a schooling institution, i feel like i have an ever so slightly better understanding of it.
I feel like we could all shed some light on this subject.
Anyone care to add some real knowledge and experience. Feel free to.
All pH is, is the measure of the Hydrogen cation concentration "[H+]"
Naturally, with water, H2O splits into H+ and -OH. this makes a fairly even mix b/w both ions (charged things +/-).
at equilibrium, when +=-, its neutral, pH 7. (i wont get into Ka's)
now add an "acid", what are you doing? You are putting something in the solution, that, compared to H2O, more readily gives away its H+ than it picks up another.
now if you put that same "Acid" into something more acid, then it will actually be the base now, and it will accept the stronger acids H+.
Make sense?
its not some chemical that raises and lowers the pH, its H. (or OH for you nerds) now yes, some "chemicals" have more or less H's to give and take. but thats all that is changing. (usually)
It gets Way more complex, but this is a decent knowledge base to build from, so help us all out and contribute your knowledge.
Ive been reading crap on the internet lately, that just makes me laugh. Its been so much harder to actually learn what pH is and how it works, after "learning" about pH from reading post after post.
Now, after some formal learning at a schooling institution, i feel like i have an ever so slightly better understanding of it.
I feel like we could all shed some light on this subject.
Anyone care to add some real knowledge and experience. Feel free to.
All pH is, is the measure of the Hydrogen cation concentration "[H+]"
Naturally, with water, H2O splits into H+ and -OH. this makes a fairly even mix b/w both ions (charged things +/-).
at equilibrium, when +=-, its neutral, pH 7. (i wont get into Ka's)
now add an "acid", what are you doing? You are putting something in the solution, that, compared to H2O, more readily gives away its H+ than it picks up another.
now if you put that same "Acid" into something more acid, then it will actually be the base now, and it will accept the stronger acids H+.
Make sense?
its not some chemical that raises and lowers the pH, its H. (or OH for you nerds) now yes, some "chemicals" have more or less H's to give and take. but thats all that is changing. (usually)
It gets Way more complex, but this is a decent knowledge base to build from, so help us all out and contribute your knowledge.
