The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is basic. Pure water is neutral, with a pH of 7.0. When chemicals are mixed with water, the mixture can become some level of either acidic or alkaline. Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic substances, while laundry detergents and ammonia are alkaline.
