What pH level indicates a neutral solution?

A pH level of 7 is universally recognized as neutral in the context of the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14. This scale is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution. At pH 7, the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) are equal, signaling a balanced state that is neither acidic nor basic. This balance is typically observed in pure water at standard temperature and pressure.

In contrast, pH levels below 7 indicate increasing acidity, where the concentration of hydrogen ions exceeds that of hydroxide ions. Levels above 7 indicate increasing alkalinity, where hydroxide ions are in greater concentration than hydrogen ions. Therefore, pH 7 serves as the benchmark for neutrality, making it an essential concept in both chemistry and environmental sciences. Understanding this helps in a variety of applications, from analyzing water quality to conducting chemical reactions.