Why does calcium hydroxide raise soil pH?

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Why does calcium hydroxide raise soil pH?

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Answer 1 · 2018-07-08T15:44:48

Well its a basic compound after all...

Explanation:

Calcium hydroxide has a chemical formula of $C a {(O H)}_{2}$ $Ca(OH)_2$ . The two hydroxide ions are responsible for it being a base. Adding it to soil neutralizes the acid, which turns the $H^{+}$ $H^+$ into water molecules, therefore decreasing their concentration in the process. This therefore increases the $pH$ $"pH"$ of the soil, as $pH$ $"pH"$ is defined by the equation:

$pH = - log [H^{+}]$ $"pH"=-log[H^+]$

where:

$[H^{+}]$ $[H^+]$ is the hydrogen ion concentration in terms of molarity

$pH$ $"pH"$ is inversely proportional to the $H^{+}$ $H^+$ ion concentration. Higher $H^{+}$ $H^+$ concentration means lower $pH$ $"pH"$ and vice-versa.

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Why does calcium hydroxide raise soil pH?

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