Jasmine Grover Content Strategy Manager
Content Strategy Manager | Updated On - Sep 26, 2025
The hydrogen ion concentration in a solution is called pH. The full form of pH is “Potential of Hydrogen” or “Power of Hydrogen”. The importance of pH can be seen in our daily lives, as pH affects everything in our bodies, from blood to the materials we use.
- A low value of pH in a solution or water indicates acidity, which is expressed as more H+ ions. High pH indicates fewer H+ ions, which indicates alkalinity or a basic nature of the solution.
- With a change in the pH level of our blood, the human body is affected. pH determines the health of the soil, pH values of waterbodies, rain, and aquatic life.
- Overall, the importance of pH in everyday life can be seen in the digestion of food, the prevention of tooth decay, and the treatment of the acidic effect of bee stings.
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Key Summary
In this article, we will discuss in detail the importance of pH and how it affects our daily lives.
- The pH value of a solution indicates whether it is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.
- The pH value of pure water (pH=7) is often used as a reference value in science, because at 25°C the number of [H+] ions and [OH-] ions in pure water is equal.
- The importance of pH can be seen everywhere, from activating the enzyme pepsin, which helps in the digestion of proteins in food, to improving agricultural yields.
What is pH Value?
The pH scale is a scale containing values from 0 to 14, where 0 indicates that the solution is very acidic, and 14 indicates it is very alkaline.
- A value less than 7 indicates that the solution is acidic in nature.
- 7 represents that the pH of the solution is neutral.
- As the value increases from 7 to 14, it indicates that the alkaline nature of the solution is increased.
People Also Ask
- Ques. What is pH, and why is it important?
Ans. The pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. pH is important in everyday life as it affects agricultural yield, the digestive system, aquatic life, etc. - Ques. Why is a pH value of 7 important?
Ans. A pH of 14 at the end of the scale represents the basic level – that means the substance has more oxygen ions. To put things into perspective, a pH of 7 is called neutral pH. This is considered an ideal pH for water in our bodies. A pH of 7 means that your solution is as pure as it can get. -
Ques. What is pH full form?
Ans. The full form of pH is the “Potential of Hydrogen”. It is the negative logarithm of H+ ion concentration. Therefore, pH is the strength of hydrogen or the power of hydrogen. -
Ques. What is the pH of pure water?
Ans. Pure water has a neutral pH of 7 (at 25°C). Hence, it is neither acidic nor basic. The scale ranges from very acidic (0) to very basic (14). Water can also have a pH in the range of 6.5 and 8.5 on the scale.
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Importance of pH in Everyday Life
It is very important to know the pH value of certain chemicals and other components that we use in our daily lives. The common criteria under which chemical components are categorized into acidic, alkaline, and natural in the pH scale are as follows:
- Acid → pH value of 1 to 6
- Neutral → pH value of 7
- Alkaline → pH value of 8 to 14
The importance of pH in everyday life is as stated below-
- Plants and animals can survive only in a narrow range of pH changes. Usually, animal and human bodies work in a pH range of 7 to 7.5.
- When the pH value of rainwater is below 5.6, it is called acid rain. It causes the pH value of the water to drop, and this causes damage to aquatic life.
- Further, when the pH value of our stomach decreases, we get acidity problems.
- When the pH value of our mouth reduces, our teeth start to decay.
- Changes in the pH value of the soil make it infertile.
This demonstrates how all living organisms and plants are sensitive to pH changes.
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Plants and animals are sensitive to pH
Plants and animals have growth sensitive to pH. pH is the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.
- Plants are growth sensitive to the pH of the soil as they need an optimum pH.
- In the case of animals, a certain pH level is maintained in the stomach for the activation of digestive acids for digestion.’
- Low pH can cause acidic conditions in the stomach.
Therefore, it is observed that plants and animals are dependent on pH and are sensitive to variations in pH.
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pH Value Affects the Existence of Living Beings
The existence of living beings is also affected by the pH value in the following way –
- Organisms require a certain pH value in order to grow at an ideal pace.
- In the human body, all the physiological reactions take place in the pH range from 7 to 7.8.
- When acid rain gets mixed with natural water bodies, the existence of aquatic animals, plants, and microbes is at risk.
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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Chapter 2 Acids, Bases and Salts
pH Value in the Digestive System
Our stomach generates HCl (Hydrochloric Acid), which helps in food digestion and kills germs. This acid balances the pH value of the stomach.
- Normally, the pH value of our stomach is around 1.2. However, this value may change when we consume more acidic or alkaline food.
- When the pH value of our stomach decreases, we suffer from acidity.
- As a result, pH is important in everyday life as acidity can cause pain and irritation in the stomach.
- The acidity problems can be cured by consuming basic substances like milk of magnesia, which neutralize the excess acid produced in our stomach.
Importance of pH Testing in Everyday Life
There is immense importance of pH testing in everyday life. The pH test is a method to measure the acidic or basic level of a substance. Based on the conclusions, the usefulness of the substance can be further determined. By pH testing –
- The changes in pH occur in elements that are necessary for the survival of plants, animals, and humans, as they only survive narrow pH changes.
- pH testing of soil is important as changes in soil pH value make it infertile.
- A low pH value in our stomach indicates acidity problems in humans.
- Testing the pH value of rainwater allows us to check the occurrence of acid rain (pH < 5.6).
- A low pH value in the mouth can lead to tooth decay.
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Effects of Change in pH Value on Teeth
Normally, the pH value of our mouth is around 6. This value changes when we eat or drink food.
- A low pH value can lead to the decay of our teeth.
- The enamel of the teeth is made of Calcium Phosphate, which is insoluble in water. However, due to the acid, it corrodes.
- Afterwards, the enamel teeth get sensitive, and bad breath occurs.
- It might even result in tooth loss.
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pH of the Soil affects Plant Growth
Plants grow properly only within a specific pH range. If the soil is neutral and not acidic or basic, it will result in healthy growth.
- Usually, due to wrong harvesting or excessive use of fertilizers, the pH balance of the soil may increase or decrease.
- This affects the plant’s growth negatively, resulting in a lower yield.
- When the pH value of the soil goes below 7, the soil becomes acidic. So, it is treated with Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Oxide, Chalk, etc. These products will neutralize the soil.
- Simultaneously, when the pH value is more than 7, it becomes basic. In such cases, the soil is neutralized with manure, compost, or pyrite.
Remedy for the Acidic Effect of a Honeybee Bite
All plants and animals have self-defense tools to protect themselves from attacks by their enemies.
- Honey bees have a chemical sting as a defense tool. The bees have acid in their sting.
- When the bee stings a human, the bee injects acid and pushes its sting into the skin. Due to that, the skin gets swollen.
- To neutralize this acidic effect, you can rub baking soda, toothpaste, or a mild base.
- Ants use their bites as a defense tool. Ant bites contain methanoic acid, which can be neutralized by rubbing a mild base like baking soda.
- Some plants, like nettles, have a sting as a defense tool. When people try to touch Nettle, it leaves a sting just like the honey bee.
- This results in irritation and pain around the affected area. This acidic effect can also be neutralized by rubbing a mild base.
Things to Remember
- pH, or ‘power of hydrogen,’ is the log of the concentration of H+ ions in a solution
- A neutral solution has a pH of 7.
- A pH of 1 to 7 indicates an acidic solution.
- A pH of 7 to 14 indicates a basic solution.
- Plants depend on soil pH for nutrients.
- Aquatic life's survival depends on the correct pH of oceans.
- Our teeth also decay beyond a certain pH (i.,e. more acidic teeth tend to decay)
FAQs
Ques: How does pH affect our daily lives?
Ans: The taste, quality of food, effectiveness of medicines, along with the proper body functioning, are all regulated by pH. Thus, the importance of pH can be seen in our daily lives.
- The pH of saliva helps protect our teeth from decay.
- The biochemical processes, like digestion and absorption, are also maintained by the pH.
Ques: Why is pH important in agriculture?
Ans: Any sudden change in the soil’s pH may directly affect the availability of nutrients to plants. In case of acidic or alkaline soil, plants may fail to absorb essential minerals.
- This will further lead to poor growth and reduced productivity.
- Proper pH adjustment is essential for maintaining fertile land for cultivation.
Ques: What are the impacts of pH on drinking water, marine life, and corrosion?
Ans: Any change in pH may indicate chemical contamination. Thus, pH also serves as a pollution indicator. The effect of pH on drinking water, marine life, and corrosion is explained below in a tabular format:
| Parameters | Effect of pH |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Safe water should be near neutral pH (6.5-8.5). |
| Marine Life | Fish and aquatic organisms can best survive in neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5 to 8.5). |
| Corrosion | Excessive pH values can corrode pipes and infrastructure. To prevent corrosion, it is necessary to maintain the pH value of water between 6.5 and 8.5. |
Ques: Explain the importance of pH in daily life products like cosmetics and soaps?
Ans: Many personal care products are designed to be near neutral pH so they do not irritate skin or eyes. For example, “pH-balanced” soaps and shampoos are usually close to 7, making them gentle and safe for regular use.
Ques: How is pH 7 important for environmental balance?
Ans: Natural environments such as lakes, rivers, and soil ecosystems thrive best when their pH is close to neutral. Acid rain, which lowers pH, can kill fish, damage forests, and erode monuments. Similarly, too much alkalinity can disrupt aquatic ecosystems; hence, neutral pH acts as a stabilizing point for biodiversity.
Ques: Why is neutral pH used as a reference point in science?
Ans: A pH value of 7 is considered neutral pH and used as a reference point in science. This is because in pure water (at 25°C) the concentration of H+ and OH- ions becomes equal, which indicates that the solution is neither acidic nor basic. This can be best understood with the help of the examples given below:
| Solution Type | pH Value | Example | Nature of Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acidic | Less than 7 | Lemon Juice (pH= 2 approx.) | Sour |
| Basic | Greater than 7 | Soapy Water (pH=11 approx.) | Bitter |
| Neutral | 7 | Pure Water (pH=7) | Balanced |
Ques: How does pH adjustment help in improving agricultural yield for farmers?
Ans: The proper adjustment of the pH of the soil can lead to increased agricultural yield and productivity. The majority of crops grow best in soil with a neutral pH (around pH 5–6.5), so that plants can absorb essential nutrients easily.
- High acidity or low pH of the soil blocks essential nutrients, leading to stunted growth in plants.
- Thus, farmers often adjust the soil’s pH towards the neutral scale to maximize their productivity.
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