Importance of pH in Everyday Life Class 10th| Acids and base

Importance of pH in Everyday Life

pH plays a very important role in our daily life, as mentioned below:
a) pH in our digestive system: Our stomach produces hydrochloric acid which helps in the
digestion of food without harming the stomach. It also kills the harmful bacteria that may
enter into the stomach along with the food we eat. The medium in our stomach is highly
acidic with a pH of about 1.2. Sometimes, too much hydrochloric acid is produced due
to various reasons e.g., due to eating fast food, spicy food, over-eating etc. Excess acid in
the stomach causes irritation and pain. The excessive acid can be neutralized with the
help of antacids which are recommended by doctors. The two commonly used antacids
are Milk of magnesia [Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH),J and Baking soda (Sodium
hydrogencarbonate, NAHCO).
Tooth decay starts when the pH of mouth is lower
than 55. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body. It is made up of calcium
phosphate. It does not dissolve in water but it corrods when the pH in the mouth is
below 5.5. Bacteria present in the mouth produce acids by degradation of sugar and food
particles remaining in mouth after eating food. This acid lowers the pH in the mouth.
The acid attacks the tooth enamel and corrods it. Therefore, to prevent tooth decay and
excess acid can be removed by cleaning the tooth with a good quality toothpaste. The
best way to prevent tooth decay is to clean the mouth after eating food. Using good
quality toothpastes (which are generally basic) for cleaning the teeth can neutralize the
excess acid and prevent tooth decay.
Our body works withín a pH range of 7.0 to 78.
Sometimes due to some reason this pH range gets disturbed in our body. So various
diseases can be diagnosed by the pH value of urine and blood. Similarly, the human
being, aquatic animals can survive in lake or river water, pH is within a certain range.
When acid rain flows into lakes and rivers, it lowers the pH of water (pH of acid rain is
less than 5.6). The survival of aquatic life in such waters becomes difficult. To decrease
the acidity of lakes and rivers, calcium carbonate is often added to them.
Plants require a specific pH range for their healthy growth. Plants
can't grow in too alkaline or too acidic soil. Chemical fertilizers also affect the pH of soil
tor proper growth of plants to check the pH of soil
If the soil is too acidic (pH is less), then pH can be raised by adding lime or slaked line
to neutralise the soil.
If soil is too basic (pH is more), then pH can be got down by adding gypsum to neutralize
the soil.
(e) Self-defence by Animals and Plants through Chemical Warfare: Many animals and
plants protect themselves from their enemies by injecting painful and irritating acids or
bases into the skin by stimming them.
For example, Bee or ant stings leaves formic acid which causes pain and irritation. In
such case, to rub the affected area with a pinch of baking soda which neutralises the acid.

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