Exploring pH Scale and Oven Cleaner

Question 3: Is oven cleaner an acid or a base?

The pH scale expresses the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. If oven cleaner has a pH of 13, is it considered an acid or a base?

a. acid, b. base, c. neutral substance.

Answer:

If oven cleaner has a pH of 13, it is considered a base.

The pH Scale and Oven Cleaner

The pH scale is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic. The middle of the scale is 7, which is considered neutral. Acids are substances with a pH of less than 7, whereas bases are substances with a pH of greater than 7. So, if oven cleaner has a pH of 13, it is considered a base. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) base.

Oven cleaners are extremely alkaline, with a pH of 13. This makes them basic, or alkaline, in nature. The main component of oven cleaners is sodium hydroxide, which is a strong base. Oven cleaners work by breaking down the grease, food, and other debris that has accumulated in the oven.