An increase in pH means that water is more acidic.

An increase in pH means that water is more acidic.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on other factors
• D. Not enough information

Answer: (B)

pH is a measure of hydrogen ion activity in water. As pH increases, the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases, so the solution becomes less acidic and more basic (alkaline). The pH scale runs from acidic (below 7) to neutral (around 7) to basic (above 7), and each unit change represents a tenfold change in H+ concentration. So increasing pH does not indicate more acidity; it indicates the opposite.

pH is a measure of hydrogen ion activity in water. As pH increases, the concentration of hydrogen ions decreases, so the solution becomes less acidic and more basic (alkaline). The pH scale runs from acidic (below 7) to neutral (around 7) to basic (above 7), and each unit change represents a tenfold change in H+ concentration. So increasing pH does not indicate more acidity; it indicates the opposite.