Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Utah Esthetician State Board Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Be ready for your exam!

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What is the difference between acidic and alkaline?

Acidic substances have a pH above 7
Alkaline substances have a pH below 7
Acidic substances turn litmus paper blue
Alkaline substances turn litmus paper red

The correct answer is: Alkaline substances have a pH below 7

The correct understanding of alkaline substances is that they are defined by a pH level greater than 7. This means that alkaline substances, also known as basic substances, have a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) compared to hydrogen ions (H+). In chemistry, the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is considered acidic, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, while anything above 7 indicates alkalinity. Thus, when describing alkaline substances as having a pH below 7, it accurately reflects that they are indeed not acidic but opposed to acidic characteristics. The other descriptions provided in the options mix up the definitions of acidic and alkaline, leading to confusion about their properties. Acidic substances, for example, have a pH below 7 and can turn litmus paper red, while alkaline substances turn litmus paper blue. Understanding this differentiation is essential in esthetics and other fields that require a solid foundation in chemistry.