Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I am a 7th grader doing a project about Chemistry on hair highlights (i didn't update it yet), and I am almost done with my entire project..execpt one thing......For the "question" part, I chose the question: "How does the PH of the bleaching solution effect its ablity to lighten hair?" ....I don't really get what the question means...I know the Ph is for the Ph scale...but...Its just that i need help with rephrasing the question...

I check many websites like yahoo answeres, wiki answers...but they tell me about something called " OH"...I still can't find a answer..

Hi Sabrina,

I'm not sure what you meant about needing a new question. Let me take a try:

Re project question:

For the poster, you'll want something short and catchy like one of the following:
. What Bleaches Hair
. What Acids Do To Hair
. How To Best Lighten Your Hair (this one may be too long.)

The above are just suggestions.

The report can have a more complete, technical question. Is this where you're have an issue?

"The Effect of pH on Bleaching" maybe?

I think "OH" might refer to hydroxide ions (OH-)
However, pH is measured by the presence of hydrogen ions (H+)

Here is a more indepth explanation of pH (it involves logs, which you may or may not be familiar with? Still, it'd be pretty cool to learn about it!)

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/184ph.html