While at the dentist in February, your saliva's acidity is measured. The next time you are there in August, it is measured again. The dentist tells you your mouth is 10x LESS acidic than the previous visit in March. Which is the most reasonable scenario? O February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6 %3! !! February visit pH = 3: August visit nH- 13

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### Understanding Saliva pH Measurement and Its Importance

During your dental visit in February, your saliva's acidity is measured. The next measurement takes place in August. Your dentist informs you that your mouth is 10 times less acidic compared to the previous visit in February. Considering this information, which of the following scenarios is the most reasonable?

#### Potential Scenarios:

1. **February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6**
2. **February visit pH = 3; August visit pH = 13**
3. **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 0.7**
4. **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 7.7**

### Explanation:

The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, with lower values being more acidic, and higher values being more basic (alkaline). A pH change of one unit represents a tenfold change in acidity. Therefore, to determine how much less acidic the saliva is, we need to consider a tenfold increase in pH. Let's analyze each scenario based on this principle:

- **February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6**: This change represents a tenfold decrease in acidity (from pH 5 to pH 6).

- **February visit pH = 3; August visit pH = 13**: This represents an extremely large change (10 orders of magnitude), which might be unrealistic.

- **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 0.7**: This change represents an increase in acidity, which contradicts the given information.

- **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 7.7**: This change represents a mild decrease in acidity, not a tenfold decrease.

Considering these evaluations, the most reasonable scenario is:

**February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6.**

This scenario best fits the given information about a tenfold decrease in acidity.
Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding Saliva pH Measurement and Its Importance During your dental visit in February, your saliva's acidity is measured. The next measurement takes place in August. Your dentist informs you that your mouth is 10 times less acidic compared to the previous visit in February. Considering this information, which of the following scenarios is the most reasonable? #### Potential Scenarios: 1. **February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6** 2. **February visit pH = 3; August visit pH = 13** 3. **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 0.7** 4. **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 7.7** ### Explanation: The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, with lower values being more acidic, and higher values being more basic (alkaline). A pH change of one unit represents a tenfold change in acidity. Therefore, to determine how much less acidic the saliva is, we need to consider a tenfold increase in pH. Let's analyze each scenario based on this principle: - **February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6**: This change represents a tenfold decrease in acidity (from pH 5 to pH 6). - **February visit pH = 3; August visit pH = 13**: This represents an extremely large change (10 orders of magnitude), which might be unrealistic. - **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 0.7**: This change represents an increase in acidity, which contradicts the given information. - **February visit pH = 7; August visit pH = 7.7**: This change represents a mild decrease in acidity, not a tenfold decrease. Considering these evaluations, the most reasonable scenario is: **February visit pH = 5; August visit pH = 6.** This scenario best fits the given information about a tenfold decrease in acidity.
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