Why is low pH acidic?

1 Answer
anor277
Oct 10, 2016

Because, by definition, a low #pH# indicates a high concentration of #"hydronium ions"#.

Explanation:

By definition, #pH=-log_10([H_3O^+])#. Given the logarithmic function, #H_3O^+# #=# #10^(-pH)#. And thus the more negative #pH#, the higher the concentration of #H_3O^+#. If you have difficult with this, you should review the logarithmic function.

See this old answer.

Related questions
See all questions in pH
Impact of this question
1612 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License