Wyoming State Board Cosmetology Practice Exam 2026 - Free Cosmetology Exam Questions and Study Guide

The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14. An acidic substance will have a pH value below 7. This range indicates that the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) is greater than the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-), which is characteristic of acids.

While a pH value of 7 is considered neutral (like pure water), values greater than 7 indicate alkalinity or basicity. Therefore, substances with pH values below 7 can be classified as acids, with stronger acids falling closer to 1, and weaker acids being near 6. Thus, identifying the pH range of acidic substances as below 7 is crucial for understanding the characteristics of various chemicals and their reactions.