Exponential Functions

Question

If celery has a pH of 5.9 then how many times more acidic are apricots if they have a pH of 4.1?

Answer 1

pH = - log [H+] ... base 10

[H+] = concentration of H+ ... the more concentrated, the more acidic

[H+] = 10^-pH ... reads as "10 raised to the negative pH"

so with pH of 5.9 for celery ... the [H+] can be determined on your calculator as "10 raised to the negative 5.9"

and with pH of 4.1 for apricot ... the [H+] can be determined on your calculator as "10 raised to the negative 4.1"

Which [H+] is greater? That's the one that indicate which is more acidic.