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.

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