Litmus test (politics) Litmus test (politics) A litmus test is a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would proceed with the appointment or nomination. The expression is a metaphor based on the litmus test in chemistry, in which one is able to test the general acidity of a substance, but not its exact pH. Those who must approve a nominee, such as a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, may also be said to apply a litmus test to determine whether the nominee will receive their vote.
Alkalinity alkalinity of a typical seawater sample. Contributions are in μmolkg−soln and are obtained from "A Handbook of Methods for the analysis of carbon dioxide parameters in seawater "","(Salinity = 35 g/kg, pH = 8.1, Temperature = 25 °C). Phosphates and silicate, being nutrients, are typically negligible. At pH = 8.1 [HSO] and [HF] are also negligible. So, Addition (or removal) of CO to a solution does not change its alkalinity, since the net reaction produces the same number of equivalents of positively contributing species (H) as negative contributing species (HCO and/or CO). Adding CO to the solution lowers its pH,