Explain the importance of pH testing in everyday life?

Solution: The pH testing is a method of measuring the level of acidity or basicity level of any substance/solution. It can help us avoid and solve many problems. Thus it helps in determining the usefulness of the substance. pH is the negative logarithm of hydronium ion concentration. pH is a very important aspect of every chemical process.

Mathematical formula of pH = – log[H⁺]

pH Scale

The range of pH scale is from 1 to 14. If the pH is between 1 – 6.9, it is acidic in nature, 7 is neutral and 7.1 – 14 is basic in nature. The neutral pH value is directly proportional to the temperature, it can be below 7 if the temperature increases above 25 degrees C. 

pH Scale

Importance of pH Testing

Examples of the importance of pH testing are mentioned below: 

• pH changes occur in substances that are necessary for survival of human, plant, and animal.
• pH range of human blood is 7.0 to 7.8, which is important for basic survival. Changes in blood pH can affect proper function of our body.
• Plants and animals survive only narrow pH changes.
• Soil infertile – Changes in pH value make soil infertile.
• Acid Rain – pH value of rainwater to determine the occurrence of acid rain (which occurs at pH < 5.6) and can affect soil profile.
• pH in our digestive system – A low pH value in stomach indicates acidity in humans.
• Tooth decay – A low pH value in the mouth indicates tooth decay.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 2 Acids, Bases and Salts

Daily life examples of pH Value:

1. Toothpaste is basic in nature to prevent the teeth decay. 
2. Copper utensils/materials are cleaned using acidic solution like lemon etc.
3. pH of blood is 7 – 7.8, which is basic in nature, increase in pH value will result in proper functioning of body.
4. Ideal pH value of soil to grow plants is 6.3 – 7.3 and is responsible for good growth of plants. If the pH of soil is acidic, the lime is added to neutralize the acidity and gypsum is added to neutralize the basicity of soil.
5. pH range (1 - 3) is responsible for the activation of the pepsin enzyme which will help in digestion of the food and prevent acidity in the stomach.