A neutral substance on the pH scale is one that has a pH value of exactly 7. This means it is neither acidic nor basic. In such a substance, the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is equal, so the solution is balanced.
Examples of neutral substances:
- Pure water (distilled water)
- Some salt solutions (like sodium chloride dissolved in water, under normal conditions)
Key Points:
- Neutral substances do not show acidic or basic properties.
- They do not turn blue litmus paper red or red litmus paper blue.
- pH 7 is the midpoint of the pH scale, marking the boundary between acidity and alkalinity.
In short: a neutral substance has a pH of 7 and is chemically balanced between acids and bases.