The pH Scale

[Guest guest]

http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/chemistry/phscale.html

The pH Scale.

The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution is very important for living

things. This is because, since the hydrogen ions are positively charged they

alter the charge environment of other molecules in solution. By putting

different forces on the molecules, the molecules change shape from their normal

shape. This is particularly important for proteins in solution because the shape

of a protein is related to its function.

The concentration of hydrogen ions is commonly expressed in terms of the pH

scale. Low pH corresponds to high hydrogen ion concentration and vice versa. A

substance that when added to water increases the concentration of hydrogen

ions(lowers the pH) is called an acid. A substance that reduces the

concentration of hydrogen ions(raises the pH) is called a base. Finally some

substances enable solutions to resist pH changes when an acid or base is added.

Such substances are called buffers. Buffers are very important in helping

organisms maintain a relatively constant pH.

Study the pH chart given below carefully. Note that each decrease in pH by one

pH unit means a tenfold increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions.

[Guest guest]

At 06:08 AM 7/23/2009, you wrote:

><http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/chemistry/phscale.html>http://staff.jccc.net/pde\

cell/chemistry/phscale.html

>

>The pH Scale.

A good layman understanding of pH in solutions.

It is notable, that pH is not defined this way. pH occurs in gasses

and other chemical reactions,

not just concentrations in solution. pH is actually a measure of how

loosely or tightly an H atom

is bound to a molecule at it's attachment position. Not the same

thing as concentration in

solution. Much broader. The concentration could be derived from the

formal definition,

but it's not always a linear formula, as there are many exceptions to the rule.

But by all means, use this pH understanding as it works in most

household situations.

Just do not insist to a scientist that is how pH is defined. It's

close, but not accurate.

It's like the word allergy, telling a doctor you are allergic, and so

he orders allergy

testing, IgE testing, and finds you are not allergic. He will not

believe anything

else you tell him. You must use the word " sensitivity " to include IgA and IgM

cell mediated immune system response, or similar non IgE reactions.

[Guest guest]

At 11:16 AM 7/23/2009, you wrote:

>Beutiful post. Let me ask you this? Would this mean that if the

>water I am drinking is a little bellow 7.0 that it would be

>benaficial because of this? I am not certain that its is but I will

>take it to be tested as soon as I can.

I was not the original poster, but I do know that acidic water, pH below 7.0,

***may*** not be good for you. Why? The body tries to rebalance it's

pH level, so acidic water would be neutralized by the body's glands

releasing alkalizing chemicals, and this tends to swing the body

towards a higher pH, which is good for longevity.

However, it's not that simple. I cover a few aspects below.

These should be enough to allow you reach some deductive conclusions,

as I do not have time to type everything.

However, the stomach acid pH is like 2.0. Adding water at 6.9 pH is

going to raise the stomach pH level to 2.5 or something. If not a lot

of water is drunk, then the stomach glands emit no additional acid,

and this pH level of the stomach enters the intestine, and the stomach

pH is restored to 2 by that process.

However, if enough water is drunk, regardless of it's pH level, the

bulk being present in the stomach reaches a tipping point, and

digestive glands are activated, releasing acids (bile) and enyzmes,

and starts the digestive process. This is true for solid food as well.

It's about 6 ounces, but different for each person.

So, a cookie and half a glass of milk before sleeping, will NOT

activate the digestive process. Why is this important? The

two states, digesting and sleeping, are mutually exclusive.

That is, one can not start digesting and then easily get to sleep

within 2-3 hours. You have insomnia. However, if the digestive

process is not started, the cookie and milk have a sedative effect.

That is, it's a sleeping aid.

Now, back to water pH, and the body's natural rebalancing effort

***always overshoots*** in changing the pH. So, acidic water

would tend to make your body alkaline, a good thing. However,

it does not work that way for every food item. Lemon juice is

highly acidic and makes the body go alkaline. Other acidic

foods, a few, not many, when eaten keep the body acidic.

That is, the rebalancing act is working " right " , but for each

individual, the pH balance is not restored. Red meat does this.

There are so many details I could post. Read a web site about

alkalizing, as it does help reduce MCS symptoms.