The measure of acidity or alkalinity in a liquid is quantified using the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 indicate acidity, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. Ideally, water that has undergone distillation, a process designed to remove impurities and minerals, should exhibit a neutral pH. However, the practical determination of its pH requires careful consideration.
Achieving truly neutral water through distillation is often complicated by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This dissolved gas reacts with the water to form carbonic acid, subtly lowering the pH and making it slightly acidic. The extent of this pH reduction is influenced by factors such as atmospheric conditions, the storage environment of the water, and the duration of exposure to air. Historically, understanding this interaction has been crucial in various scientific and industrial processes where water purity is paramount. Controlling for these factors is essential in applications like laboratory experiments, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and certain types of electronics production, where even slight deviations from neutrality can impact results or product quality.