--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Acid strength is measured by the pH…" description: "\"“Acid strength is measured by the pH scale, with lower numbers being stronger, and in 2005 a chemist from New Zealand invented a boron-based acid calle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38a/sam-kean-10876_theory_acid-strength-is-measured-by-the-ph-scal_1631735.png" --- # Acid strength is measured by the pH scale, with lower… ![“Acid strength is measured by the pH scale, with lower numbers being stronger, and in 2005 a chemist from New Zealand invented a boron-based acid called a carborane, with a pH of -18” quote by Sam Kean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38a/sam-kean-10876_theory_acid-strength-is-measured-by-the-ph-scal_1631735.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38a/sam-kean-10876_theory_acid-strength-is-measured-by-the-ph-scal_1631735.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38a/sam-kean-10876_theory_acid-strength-is-measured-by-the-ph-scal_1631735.png) > ““Acid strength is measured by the pH scale, with lower numbers being stronger, and in 2005 a chemist from New Zealand invented a boron-based acid called a carborane, with a pH of -18”” [Sam Kean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acid strength is indicated by pH; lower values mean stronger acids, and a synthetic boron acid can have a negative pH. **In simple terms:** pH shows acidity; lower = stronger; a lab‑made acid can be extremely strong. Key Takeaway Recognize that pH can go below zero for super‑strong acids. Themes chemistry measurement acid strength Mood cautious inquisitive Type scientific informative When to use this quote - laboratory experiments - environmental testing - industrial processes Key Concepts pH scale boron chemistry synthetic acids Questions to Reflect On - How do super‑strong acids affect safety protocols? - What applications need such low pH? A Different Perspective Negative pH values are rare and require careful handling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acid Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acid-called-490113/) [Acid Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acid-strength-490111/) [Based Acid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based-acid-490112/) [Called Carborane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-carborane-490114/) [Measured Ph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measured-ph-490115/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) ## Related quotes > [“Despite the earnest belief of most of his fans, Einstein did not win his Nobel Prize for the theory of relativity, special or general.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kean/despite-the-earnest-belief-of-most-of-his-fans-einstein-did-not-win/) [Sam Kean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kean/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. 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