pH is formally defined as the negative decimal logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity, [latex]a_{H^+}[/latex]. The formula is [latex]pH = -\log_{10}(a_{H^+})[/latex]. Activity is the effective concentration of hydrogen ions, accounting for intermolecular forces, and is dimensionless. For dilute solutions, activity is approximately equal to the molar concentration of [latex]H^+[/latex] ions, simplifying the calculation.

















