How would you explain pH to a non-science person?

Question

I am currently working in the electrochemistry field. I have to explain pH and the effects of salts (specifically NaCl) on the pH of solutions to a non-science person. The only way I can think is in terms of equations, stoichiometry, and overall definitions. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

we know that pH is ranged from totally basic to totally acidic, with neutrality (water) being at pH=7; so just display a range from 0 to 14 and color code it (red for acid and blue for basic) and place your findings there (ie before and after situations of NaCl towards the pH of the solution). Also place analogies (ie. the results of the pH due to NaCl concentration of 10% is equivalent to household ammonia)

When explaining something to a non-science person, visuals and analogies always helps.

Answer 2

Simple:

I had to go thru the same scenario too. It was a bit difficult to explain it to a non-science person.

This is how I explained it to my co-worker:

1. The pH is nothing but the way to measure how acid or alkaline a substance (solution or compound) can be. DO NOT go any deeper into it my friend –i.e. explaining that is a logarithmic function and all that crap, because that will only confuse the person and you will be back to ground zero.

2. Explain that the letter p is short for “power” and the H is short for “hydrogen”. Therefore, “pH” can be taken as a way to measure the power of the hydrogen molecules* in that substance. For some reason, the word molecule circumscribes a more general way for people to understand chemical related topics. So, YES, use the term molecule, because if you say hydrogen ions, say “bye-bye” to the will of that person to try to understand. Make sure that this person acknowledges that the lower the number in the pH meter, the higher the acidity in that substance is.

3. Since you have to explain this with NaCL, say that the pH meter will behave in a different way when others substances are mixed with compounds like NaCL. That the higher the reading in the pH meter, the less acid the solution is, and therefore more alkaline becomes. DO NOT explain with equations [2NaCl + 2H2O → 2HCl + 2NaOH] the results and or products of that mix, or you will end in a black whole.

LAST RESOURCE: Try drawings. Some people are visual when something difficult must be understood. Explain that acidity or alkalinity is measured on the pH scale. That this scale ranges in value from 0 for most acidic to 14 for most alkaline solutions. In addition, that 7 is pH-neutral. Draw a pH scale.

1 ↑
2 ↑
3 ↑ ( More Acidic )
4 ↑
5 ↑
6 ↑

7 NEUTRAL

8 ↓
9 ↓
10↓
11↓ ( More Alkaline )
12↓
13↓
14↓

Explain with the scale instead equations, that the higher the number in the pH meter, the less acid the solution is, and therefore more alkaline becomes. On the opposite side, the lower the number in a pH meter the higher the acidity in that substance is.

I hope the way I explained it to this person works for you too. Good luck ;)

Answer 3

you may have to get them to think science or their be lost.

i would explain it as, "how much acid is in something" They probably have a since about acid, if not mention stomach acid, lemon juice as acid, battery acid or "acid from a comic book villain" which reacts when in contact with other stuff, lol. That reaction is really hydrogens. The higher the activity, the more acidity. rhymes. They have stuff that test it for "Ph" LEVEL called indicators in science terms. They use listhmus paper = special tissue with listhmus. Listhmas reacts when dipped in something and turns a different color. Usually red for acid and blue for base. The colors are used to measure the ph level. On a range from 0 to 14. Lower the number, the higher the acid in it. For the salt part, i would say that bases react with acids and form a nuetral. Thats because of positively charged particles that even out with the negatively charged ones. That reaction creates the miracle of salt. Maybe they can follow that little bit in a three minute conversation and remember it. But no one remembers anything unless the want to or as science says... has an interest where even their collective conscience helps remember the neurotic route to transmit the file from ya brain for use :D good luck.

Answer 4

Some of the answers above are correct, and some aren't (1-14? - Go back and take a chemistry class).

pH is a measure of the level of acidity or alkalinity in a sample or solution. Typical range is from 0-14, but can go beyond that (for those of you who say it can't, tell me the pH of 10 M HCl).

Emphasize that it is a logarithmic scale, such that something with a pH of 1 is 10 times more acidic than something with a pH of 2.

Answer 5

By this chemical reaction:

NaCl + H2O ----> NaOH + HCl

Just kidding, if you want to make him understand this you must begin first the definition of PH which is a measure of the activity of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution and, therefore, its acidity or alkalinity. Then you must (H+) indicates acidity, and (OH-) indicates alkalinity.

If he has no chemistry knowledge then the best way should be giving example from daily life or just by a simple experiment.

If you add lemon juice to kale, you can see that the purple color of kale turns out pink. Because lemon is acid (citric acid). If you add carbonate, the purple color of kale turns out green. Because carbonate is alkali, and it is used for neutralization of acid. Lemon tastes sour so acidic things mostly tastes sour. Caution: Don't try to taste hydrochloric acid, or you have a sore digestion system. Sour turns out sore.

You may find the experiment funny because you know chemistry well, it is your career, but someone who doesn't have a clue about PH, that may be starting, and who knows he may be the chemistry fan and even suprise you.

Empathy works, it is one of the keys of comunication, the other one is get to know.

Answer 6

pH is a measure of the acidity or its opposite, the alkalinity of a substance. A scale of 1- 14 covers nearly all cases, 1 being very acidic, 14 being very alkaline and 7 is perfectly neutral.

Answer 7

it is a scale from 0 to 14, but is not bound by those numbers the ph can go past 14 and negative in some extreme cases

Answer 8

I worked with pH meters without understanding the principles involved. But I would suggest using metaphoric examples to explain the process and show actual effects of how acidic and caustic work.

Answer 9

This is an exerpt from dealing with putting nutrients back in the soil. I hope this is helpful.

The first thing that a soil expert will ask is: ‘What is the soil’s pH?’ But just what does “pH” mean?

Well, soils are put into two basic categories: acid or alkaline. On a scale of 0-14 those soils falling into the 0 through 6 category are acid, while those above 7 and through 14 are considered alkaline. Soils that are 7 are considered neutral, neither acid nor alkaline.

Some crops prefer soils that are somewhat more acid, and others, more alkaline. Lime, when added to the soil, makes it more alkaline, that is, raises its pH.

Even if all the thirteen nutrients needed by plants are in the soil, a proper acid/alkaline balance is still necessary. Only in this way will plants be able to benefit fully from the nutrients that are in the soil.

Lime added to the soil does at least three things. It supplies needed calcium oxide. Secondly, it keeps some elements in check so that these will not poison the crop. Thus as the pH of acid soil is increased by adding lime, such elements as aluminum, iron, manganese, copper and zinc become less soluble. In more acidic soil the excessive presence of these elements will be harmful to crops, but as the pH of the soil is increased they become more inert. Thirdly, lime releases other elements that the plants can use to good advantage, while encouraging the growth of vital bacteria in the soil.

Since each soil is different, it is vital to consider what each one needs in the way of added nutrients. The primary ones, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), are the substances represented by the three sets of figures on a bag of commercial fertilizer. For instance, 10-12-8 stands for the percentage of nitrogen (10%), phosphorus (12%) and potassium (8%) in the bag.

Where do these fertilizers come from?

Today many farmers and gardeners say that they prefer to use only “natural” organic fertilizers such as manure, sewerage, sludge and compost to provide needed soil nourishment. The use of these products has long been recognized as a fundamental way of returning nutrients to the soil while at the same time adding humus. It is still a very common way of fertilizing soil in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

But much fertilizing done in the Western world today is on a very large scale. It is not possible to provide enough organic fertilizer for these gigantic operations. Fertilizing just one acre of land can require fifteen tons of animal manure. Obtaining such amounts is virtually out of the question for most farming operations today. So what is the alternative? “Chemical fertilizers.”

Some persons claim that chemical fertilizers are harmful if used to promote growth of food for humans. But a report by the U.S. House of Representatives notes: “No reliable evidence was presented that the use of chemical fertilizers has had a harmful or detrimental effect on the health of man or animals.” Nor has it definitely been proved that such chemicals, if used properly, harm soil life. Even “organic” gardeners use some rock powder, including rock phosphate, potash rock and crushed limestone, to build up the soils.

One farmer who has relied on chemical fertilizers for many years reasons: “The plants do not care where the nutrients come from, just as long as they get them.” Similarly, honest “organic” gardeners know too that a balanced view toward plant nutrition must be maintained. Says Organic Gardening and Farming: “There’s little agreement among soils experts on the comparative merits of natural fertilizers (nor on chemical fertilizers either, if the truth be known). Natural fertilizer makers call university agronomists lackeys of the petro-chemical industry . . . University scientists retaliate by labeling soil-conditioning salesmen as hucksters selling bags full of magic and hot air. There is no doubt some truth in both criticisms . . . Honest men stand on both sides of the fence.”

But how do men produce the “primary elements,” nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, in chemical fertilizers?

Their main source of nitrogen is synthetic ammonia. This comes as a result of combining nitrogen and hydrogen. Pure gaseous nitrogen can be obtained with relative ease by removing from the air oxygen and other gases. Hydrogen is a byproduct of petroleum. Synthesizing the two results in the needed ammonia. Some ammonia is put directly into the soil as a watery solution. However, most is converted into a solid and used by farmers and gardeners in that form. Most phosphates and potassium come from mineral deposits that are ground to the proper consistency.

Answer 10

go to the super basics.

pH is a scale that goes from 1-14
1 being most acidic, 14 being most basic

try to elaborate on that

surely H^+ and OH^- concentration shouldnt be too hard for the pesron to understand..