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pH

pH is a measure of the acidic or basic (alkaline) nature of a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic).

  • A neutral solution (pure water) has a pH of 7.
  • Solutions with a pH less than 7 are acidic, with 0 being the most acidic.
  • Solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic (alkaline), with 14 being the most basic.
Author Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology
Last Updated June 17, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 17, 2008
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