What does a pH of 7 indicate about a solution?

A pH of 7 indicates that a solution is neutral. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where values below 7 represent acidic solutions and values above 7 represent basic or alkaline solutions. When a solution has a pH of exactly 7, it means that the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻), resulting in a balanced state that is neither acidic nor basic. This is often exemplified by pure water, which is considered a standard reference point for neutral pH. Hence, a pH of 7 confirms that the solution does not react with indicators that test for acidity or alkalinity, reinforcing its characterization as neutral.