What is the measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution called?

Get ready for the UCF PSC1121 Physical Science Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Boost your exam readiness with our resources!

The measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution is called pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with lower values indicating acidic solutions (pH < 7), a neutral point at pH 7, and higher values indicating basic or alkaline solutions (pH > 7).

The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number change on the scale represents a tenfold change in acidity or basicity. For example, a solution with a pH of 4 is ten times more acidic than one with a pH of 5. This measurement is crucial in various scientific fields, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science, as it affects chemical reactions, biological processes, and the behavior of substances in solutions.

The other options do not specifically measure acidity or basicity: conductivity measures how well a solution can conduct electric current, solubility refers to the ability of a substance to dissolve in another, and redox potential relates to the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons and thereby be reduced, none of which directly indicate the pH level of a solution.

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