Is the distilled water acidic/basic/neutral? How would you verify it?

Distilled water is considered neutral, meaning it has a pH of 7. However, it's important to note that distilled water can pick up carbon dioxide from the air, which can dissolve and form carbonic acid, making the pH slightly acidic.

To verify the pH of distilled water, you can use a pH indicator or a pH meter. Here's a simple step-by-step procedure:

Obtain a sample of distilled water.
If you're using a pH indicator, add a few drops of the indicator to the water and observe the color change. Match the color to the corresponding pH on the indicator's color chart.
If you're using a pH meter, carefully dip the electrode into the distilled water sample and wait for the reading to stabilize. The pH meter will display the pH value directly.
Using either method, you should find that distilled water is close to a neutral pH of 7, but it might show a slightly acidic or alkaline reading depending on the dissolved gases present in the water.