what is the importance of pH in everyday life?
Answers
pH is very important in our digestive system. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid is secreted as food enters the stomach. It turns the pH of the stomach between 1 and 3. This pH is important for the activation of the enzyme pepsin, which helps in the digestion of protein in food.
1. pH in our digestive system: When our stomach produces excess acid, it causes
indigestion. In order to cure indigestion we take a mild base like baking soda [NaHCO3] or milk of magnesia [Mg(OH)2]. These are known as ‘Antacids‘. They neutralize the excess acid and give relief.
2. pH change as the cause of tooth decay: Tooth decay starts when the pH of mouth falls below 5.5. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to clean the mouth after eating and using a basic toothpaste which can neutralize acid inside mouth.
3. Self Defense by animals and plants through chemical warfare: Honey bee injects an acidic liquid into the person’s body. Its sting causes pain and irritation. Baking soda is used as a remedy because being a base it neutralizes the injected acid.
4. pH in soil: If the soil is too acidic then it is treated with materials like quicklime (CaO) or slaked lime. If the soil is too alkaline then alkalinity can be reduced by adding decaying organic matter.