Acid-base equilibria

Acid-base equilibria describe the balance between acids and bases in a solution. Acids release hydrogen ions (H⁺), making the solution more acidic, while bases absorb or release hydroxide ions (OH⁻), making it more basic or alkaline. When acids and bases are mixed, they interact and form water and other substances, reaching a state called equilibrium where the rate of forward and backward reactions are equal. This balance determines the solution’s pH level, which indicates how acidic or basic it is. Understanding this equilibrium helps explain many chemical and biological processes, such as digestion and blood pH regulation.