Emäspitoisina

Emäspitoisina is a Finnish term that translates to "alkaline" or "basic" in English when referring to a substance or solution. It describes a chemical property where a substance has a pH level greater than 7. In aqueous solutions, this means there is a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) than hydrogen ions (H+). Common examples of alkaline substances include sodium hydroxide (lye), potassium hydroxide, and ammonia.

Alkalinity plays a crucial role in various natural and industrial processes. For instance, the alkalinity of soil affects nutrient availability for plants. In water treatment, alkalinity helps neutralize acidic components and stabilize pH. Industrially, alkaline substances are used in manufacturing soaps, detergents, paper, and in petroleum refining.

The opposite of alkaline is acidic, which refers to substances with a pH less than 7, characterized by a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. A pH of exactly 7 is considered neutral, such as pure water. Understanding and measuring alkalinity is fundamental in chemistry, biology, and environmental science. The term "emäspitoisina" therefore directly indicates this fundamental chemical characteristic of having basic properties.