Acids and bases

Subject classification: this is a chemistry resource .

In chemistry, a compound could be an acid or a base. Acids and bases are very important in chemistry. They describe a large class of substances. Understanding their properties allows us to rationalize patterns that occur in chemistry.

Contrasting properties of acids and bases

Here is a list which contrasts their properties:

• Acids turn litmus paper red. Bases turn litmus paper blue.
• Acids give off H+ ions in water; bases give off OH- ions in water
• Acids generally taste sour due to the sour H+ ion; bases taste bitter due to the OH- ion; but they may have other tastes depending on the other part of the molecule
• Acids corrode active metals ; Bases denature protein
• Acids have a pH less than 7 ; Bases have a pH greater than 7

Similar properties of acids and bases

Here is a list of properties that are common to both acids and bases

• When you dissolve an acid or base in water, it makes ions. This makes the water conduct electricity better.

• The stronger the acid (or base), the more ions are produced, so the conductivity of the solution increases.

• They can both conduct electricity.

Things unique to acids

Here are some properties of acids:

Acids react with some metals to generate hydrogen gas. Acids generally taste sour.

Examples of common things which are acidic

• Milk
• Saliva
• Lemon juice
• Apple juice
• Vinegar
• Water and soft drinks (Carbon dioxide reacts in water to form Carbonic acid)
• Bleach
• oranges
• pineapples

Things unique to bases

Bases feel slippery and soapy because they hydrolyze the fatty acid ester of the skin (saponification reaction).

Examples of common things which are bases

• Hand soap
• Lye
• Soda
• Salt Water