which of the following has a basic ph
lemon juice
milk of magnesia
tomatoes
hydrochloric acid
yes
milk of magnesia
I know three of them are acidic. The other must be basic.
What do you think?
Have you ever tasted lemon juice? Doesn't it pucker your mouth like vinegar?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid
Right! Milk of magnesia is the only basic on that list.
To determine which of the given substances has a basic pH, you need to understand what pH is and how it is measured.
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. It is represented on a scale from 0 to 14, where 0 represents extreme acidity, 7 represents neutrality, and 14 represents extreme alkalinity or basicity. A pH value below 7 indicates acidity, while a pH above 7 indicates alkalinity.
Now, let's analyze each substance to determine their pH:
1. Lemon juice: Lemon juice is known for its acidic properties. It contains citric acid, which imparts a sour taste to lemons. Therefore, lemon juice has an acidic pH below 7.
2. Milk of magnesia: Milk of magnesia, also known as magnesium hydroxide, is commonly used as an antacid to alleviate heartburn or stomach discomfort. It is a basic solution that neutralizes excess stomach acid. Hence, milk of magnesia has a pH above 7, indicating alkalinity.
3. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are slightly acidic due to the presence of malic and citric acids. However, their pH generally falls within the range of 4 to 5. Thus, tomatoes also have an acidic pH below 7.
4. Hydrochloric acid: Hydrochloric acid is widely known for its strong acidity. It is produced by the stomach to aid in digestion. With a pH close to 0, hydrochloric acid is highly acidic.
Considering the above analysis, out of the given substances, milk of magnesia is the only one that has a basic pH (above 7).