pH and pOH Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

pH and pOH

Subject: Chemistry

Book: General Chemistry

pH measures the acidity of a solution and is defined as pH = –log[H+]. A low pH indicates acidic conditions, while a high pH indicates basic conditions. Similarly, pOH = –log[OH–] describes hydroxide concentration. Both relate through pH + pOH = 14 (at 25 °C). Controlling pH is crucial in biochemical processes (e.g., enzyme activity) and industrial applications (e.g., acid–base titration).