To determine which substance is most acidic, least acidic, and most neutral among vinegar, soapy water, and salt water, we typically use the pH scale. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where values below 7 indicate acidity, a value of 7 is neutral, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity (or basicity).
-
Most Acidic: Vinegar generally has a pH around 2 to 3, which means it is quite acidic. Its acidity comes primarily from acetic acid.
-
Most Neutral: Salt water typically has a pH close to 7, as it is created by dissolving table salt (sodium chloride) in water, which does not significantly affect the water’s pH.
-
Least Acidic (Most Basic): Soapy water usually has a pH above 7, often ranging from 9 to 12, depending on the soap's formulation. This indicates that soapy water is alkaline rather than acidic.
In summary:
- Most Acidic: Vinegar (pH 2-3)
- Most Neutral: Salt Water (pH ~7)
- Least Acidic (Most Basic): Soapy Water (pH 9-12)
If you had specific numerically represented pH values in the image, you could directly compare them to confirm these findings.