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A pH below 7 indicates what type of solution?

  1. Neutral solution

  2. Basic solution

  3. Acidic solution

  4. Alkaline solution

The correct answer is: Acidic solution

A pH below 7 indicates an acidic solution. The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, with lower values representing higher concentrations of hydrogen ions. When the pH is below 7, it signifies that the solution is more acidic, meaning it has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions in contrast to hydroxide ions. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 7 is considered neutral, representing pure water. As you move below 7, the solution's acidity increases, identifying it as acidic. Thus, a pH of 6, for instance, is more acidic than a pH of 6.5. In contrast, a pH above 7 indicates a basic or alkaline solution, meaning it has fewer hydrogen ions relative to hydroxide ions. Understanding this relationship between pH values and their corresponding acidic or basic nature is crucial in fields such as chemistry, biology, and medicine, where pH plays a vital role in various processes and reactions.