- Sorensen’s pH Scale is a numerical representation of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- It was introduced by Danish chemist Søren Peder Lauritz Sørensen in 1909.
- Sørensen developed this scale to simplify the expression of hydrogen ion concentrations in solutions, which can vary over a wide range.
Definition of pH
- The term “pH” stands for “potential of hydrogen” and is defined mathematically as:
-
$\text{pH} = -\log_{10} [\text{H}^+]$
- Where:
- is the molar concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution.
Advertisements
Logarithmic Nature of Sorensen’s pH Scale
- The logarithmic scale means that each whole number change in pH represents a tenfold change in hydrogen ion concentration.
- For example, a solution with a pH of 3 is ten times more acidic than one with a pH of 4.
Scale Range
- The pH scale typically ranges from 0 to 14:
- Acidic Solutions: pH < 7
- Neutral Solutions: pH = 7
- Basic (Alkaline) Solutions: pH > 7
Advertisements
Importance of Sorensen’s pH Scale
- The pH of a solution affects chemical reactions, biological processes, and the solubility of compounds.
- It is crucial in various fields, including:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Medicine
- Agriculture
- Environmental Science
Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!
Advertisements
