pH of neutral solution.

**The reasoning** The pH scale measures how acidic or basic (alkaline) a solution is, ranging from 0 to 14. A **neutral solution** is neither acidic nor basic — it's perfectly balanced. Pure water at 25°C is the classic example. In neutral water, the concentration of H⁺ ions equals the concentration of OH⁻ ions. Mathematically: [H⁺] = [OH⁻] = 1 × 10⁻⁷ M Since pH = −log[H⁺], we get: pH = −log(1 × 10⁻⁷) = 7 So pH 7 is neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic (more H⁺ ions), anything above 7 is basic (more OH⁻ ions). **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **pH 1** is *extremely acidic* — like battery acid. Students sometimes confuse "starting point" with "neutral point." - **pH 5** is *weakly acidic* (like black coffee or rain water). It's closer to neutral but not quite there. - **pH 14** is *extremely basic* — like drain cleaner. The high number might seem "balanced" but it's the opposite extreme from pH 1. **Quick takeaway** Remember: **7 is heaven** — perfectly neutral, like pure water at room temperature.