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| 1. |
Write importance of pH in every day life |
| Answer» 1. pH in our digestive system: Our stomach produces hydrochloric acid of pH about 1.4. This dilute hydrochloric acid helps in digesting our food without harming the stomach. Sometime, excess of acid is produced in the stomach for various reasons such as overeating. The excess acid in the stomach causes indigestion which produces pain and irritation. In order to cure indigestion and get rid of pain, we can take bases called antacids. Being basic in nature, antacids react with excess acid in the stomach and neutralize it. The two common antacids used for curing indigestion due to acidity are Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) and Sodium hydrogen carbonate.2. pH change as the cause of tooth decay: When we eat food containing sugar, then the bacteria present in our mouth break down the sugar to form acids such as lactic acid. Thus, acid is formed in the mouth after a sugary food has been eaten. This acid lowers the pH in the mouth making it acidic. Tooth decay starts when the pH of acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5. This is because then the acid becomes strong enough to attack the enamel of our teeth and corrode it. This sets in tooth decay.3. Soil pH and plant growth: Most of the plants grow best when the pH of the soil is close to 7. If the soil is too acidic or too basic the plants grow badly or do not grow at all. The soil may be acidic or basic naturally. The soil pH is also affected by the use of chemical fertilisers in the fields.4. pH change and survival of animals: Our body works well within a narrow pH range of 7.0 to 7.8. If due to some reason, this pH range gets disturbed in the body of a person, then many ailments can occur. The aquatic animals (like fish) can survive in river water within a narrow range of pH change. | |