What pH range is considered neutral?

What pH range is considered neutral?

• A. 0-6
• B. 7
• C. 7-14
• D. 5-9

Answer: (B)

Neutral on the pH scale is 7. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with values below 7 being acidic and above 7 being basic. At standard room temperature, neutrality means the hydrogen ion concentration equals the hydroxide concentration, [H+] = [OH−] = 1×10−7 M, which yields pH 7. So the exact neutral value is 7. The other ranges describe acidity or basicity rather than neutrality, with 0–6 acidic, 7–14 basic, and 5–9 not pinpointing neutrality.

Neutral on the pH scale is 7. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with values below 7 being acidic and above 7 being basic. At standard room temperature, neutrality means the hydrogen ion concentration equals the hydroxide concentration, [H+] = [OH−] = 1×10−7 M, which yields pH 7. So the exact neutral value is 7. The other ranges describe acidity or basicity rather than neutrality, with 0–6 acidic, 7–14 basic, and 5–9 not pinpointing neutrality.