12.06.12 — pH


 
Thursday, December 6, 2012
 
Puzzle by Jill Denny and Jeff Chen / Edited by Will Shortz

In chemistry, pH is a measure of the activity of the (solvated) hydrogen ion. p[H], which measures the hydrogen ion concentration is closely related to, and is often written as, pH. Pure water has a pH very close to 7 at 25°C. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. The pH scale is traceable to a set of standard solutions whose pH is established by international agreement. Primary pH standard values are determined using a concentration cell with transference, by measuring the potential difference between a hydrogen electrode and a standard electrode such as the silver chloride electrode. Measurement of pH for aqueous solutions can be done with a glass electrode and a pH meter, or using indicators. ~ Wikipedia
 
With that out of the way -- this Thursday crossword utilizes PH in seven squares to form the following:

TO[P H]AT (1D. Bit of attire for Mr. Monopoly) with [PH]NOM (17A. Half an Asian capital?)
CHOREOGRA[PH] (3D. Arrange) with SO[PH]OCLES (42D. Contemporary of Aeschylus)
[PH]ONE (10A. Ring) with [PH]ANTOM (10D. Unreal)
TRIUM[PH]ED (28D. Won) with [PH]ILOSO[PH]IZE (29D. Speculate superficially) and A[PH]ID (53A. Destructive pest)
[PH]ILS (44A. N.L. East team, informally) with [PH]ASER (44D. Futuristic weapons)
[PH]ISH with [PH]SCALE (49A. Theme of this puzzle) …

… along with BASES (5A. Substances high on the 49-Across), WATER (37A. Substance in the middle of the 49-Across) and ACIDS (62A. Substances low on the 49-Across).
 
Other — ANTLER (22A. Vixen feature), BUSHEL, HAM ON RYE (4D. Deli choice), HAN SOLO (46A. Fictional captive in carbonite), O’HARAS, PULSATES (38D. Beats), STEAMIER (9D. More erotic), TRENDED, WALLENDA (37D. Big name in flying).
 
Five-letter — ANTED, ASNER, BUOYS, CAGED, CODES, DEFER, EAGER, HIVED, LIVEN, NAÏVE, OBGYN, ODORS, ORDER, STORE, TOTES, UNCUT (15A. Complete).
 
Short stuff — AEC, AERO-engine, AVOW, BAIO, BIN, Elizabeth CADY Stanton, DAN, DONS, EBAY, ECOL, EUR, EWER and EZER, HEW, HOLD, HWYS, IBO, ITAR-Tass, NAPE and NOPE, NIA Long, Entre NOUS, OMOO, ORAL and OVAL, OSHA, OWNS, PLAN, SCOW, SENS, SODA, STOW, TACH, TIVO, WARE, WIFI, WIS.

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Click on image to enlarge.
 
Puzzle available on the internet at

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Needle holder; 14. Federal watchdog agcy.; 15. Complete; 16. Swear; 18. Cache; 19. End of a haircut?; 21. Stick (to); 24. Leaned in one direction; 26. “Typee” sequel; 27. Verbalized; 32. Delivery person; 34. Programs; 35. Nigerian native; 36. House starter or ender; 38. Program; 39. Actress Long; 40. Avid; 4. Lifts; 45. Place for cargo; 52. Mich. Neighbor; 55. Foolable; 57. DVR system; 58. Pop; 59. Hold off; 60. Six-Day War leader Weizman; 61. Some map lines: Abbr.; 63. Capitol V.I.P.’s: Abbr. — DOWN: 2. “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” co-star; 5. Whole lot; 6. Chipped in; 7. Cargo vessel; 8. E.E.C. part: Abbr.; 9. More erotic; 11. Elliptical; 12. “Fat chance!”; 13. Pitcher; 25 Lieutenant ___ of “Forrest Gump”; 26. Command; 28. Lugs; 30. PayPal purchaser; 3. Dominates; 33. “Charles in Charge” star; 34. Imprisoned; 38. Beats; 40. Subj. for a forest ranger; 41. Recycling ___; 43. Scarlett’s kin; 46. Gathered, as bees; 47. Energize; 48. Olfactory ticklers; 49. Do some online skullduggery; 50. Place, as cargo; 51. Women’s rights pioneer Elizabeth ___ Stanton; 52. Surcharge item in many hotels; 56. Federal agency. of 1946-75.

 

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