Classifying Substances Based on pH Level

Understanding pH Scale

Orange juice: Orange juice has a pH of 3.5, which is below 7 on the pH scale. This indicates that orange juice is acidic in nature. The acidity of orange juice is attributed to the presence of citric acid, a weak organic acid naturally found in citrus fruits. Drain cleaner: Drain cleaner, on the other hand, has a pH of 13, which is above 7 on the pH scale. This high pH value indicates that drain cleaner is basic or alkaline. Drain cleaners typically contain strong alkaline compounds such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) that help dissolve clogs in drains and pipes. The pH scale is a measure of the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of a solution, with values ranging from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic), and 7 being considered neutral.

Classification of Substances:

Based on the given pH values: - Orange juice with a pH of 3.5 is acidic. - Drain cleaner with a pH of 13 is basic. In summary, orange juice is classified as acidic and drain cleaner is classified as basic based on their pH values. It is essential to handle both acids and bases with care as they can be harmful if not used properly.

Why is orange juice classified as acidic based on its pH value?

Orange juice has a pH of 3.5, which is below 7 on the pH scale. This pH value indicates that orange juice is acidic in nature. The acidity of orange juice is attributed to the presence of citric acid, a weak organic acid naturally found in citrus fruits.

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