A solution that has a pH of 6.5 is
A slightly acidic
B very basic
C neutral
D very acidic
E slightly basic
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A: slightly acidic.
pH is a scale used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, which is the pH of pure water at 25°C. Solutions with a pH lower than 7 are acidic, while those with a pH greater than 7 are basic (alkaline). The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change on the scale represents a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity.
A pH of 6.5 is slightly less than 7, indicating that the solution is mildly acidic. In terms of acidity, a pH of 6.5 falls between neutral (pH 7) and strongly acidic solutions, which have a pH closer to 0. Common examples of mildly acidic substances include certain fruits, such as oranges and apples, whose juices typically have a pH around 6 to 7.
A solution with a pH slightly above 7, such as 8 or 9, would be considered slightly basic. Strongly basic solutions, like bleach or ammonia, typically have a pH above 12. On the other hand, very acidic solutions, like battery acid or hydrochloric acid, can have a pH of 1 or 2.
Therefore, since a pH of 6.5 is just under 7, it represents a solution that is slightly acidic. It is not highly acidic, nor is it basic, neutral, or strongly acidic.