, acid-base balance and buffering capacity.
Calculating pH:
The pH of a solution is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution and it is usually reported on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution is, while the higher the pH, the more alkaline the solution is.
To calculate pH, take the negative log of the hydrogen ion concentration. You can also use the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation to calculate pH. This equation is pH = pKa + log (A-/HA), where pKa is the acid dissociation constant, A- is the concentration of the conjugate base, and HA is the concentration of the acid.
pOH:
The pOH of a solution is the opposite of the pH, and it measures the concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution. To calculate pOH, take the negative log of the hydroxide ion concentration.
Acid-Base Balance and Buffering Capacity:
The acid-base balance of a solution is the difference between the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in the solution. It is important to maintain this balance in order to keep the solution at a neutral pH.
The buffering capacity of a solution refers to its ability to resist changes in pH even when exposed to acid or base. Buffering capacity is determined by both the acid-base balance of the solution, as well as the concentration of weak acids and bases that are present in the solution.