What is the pH range of acids?

Acids are substances that donate protons (H⁺ ions) in aqueous solutions, and this characteristic makes them key players in various chemical and biological processes. The pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14, is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. A pH less than 7 indicates a higher concentration of H⁺ ions, characterizing a solution as acidic.

As the pH decreases from neutral (7) to 0, the acidity of the solution increases, leading to stronger acidic properties. For example, a solution with a pH of 1 is considered very acidic, while a solution with a pH of 6, while still acidic, is less so than one with a pH of 2.

Understanding this context is crucial because it illustrates how acidic solutions can impact biological systems, enzyme activity, and metabolic processes, where maintaining optimal pH levels is essential for proper function.