What is pH value?

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pH is an abbreviation for the Latin term “potential hydrogenii”; which translates to “hydrogen ion concentration”. The pH value serves to differentiate between acids and alkalis and quantify their strength. Everything that contains water has a pH value that can be determined by using electrical measuring devices or by litmus indicators. The pH scale extends from “0” to “14”, where the average value of “7” is defined as neutral. Water has the neutral value of pH-7. Alkaline solutions such as sodium carbonate and sodium palmitate, are two popular bases contained in ordinary soap and they have a pH value greater than “7”; and acidic solutions such as acetic acid, lactic acid and carbonic acid (by contrast) range between “0” and “7” on the scale.