Acids and bases
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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.
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Contrasting properties of acids and bases [edit]
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; (NEVER TASTE CHEMICALS IN A LAB) 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 [edit]
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.
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- The stronger the acid (or base), the more ions are produced, so the conductivity of the solution increases.
Things unique to acids [edit]
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 [edit]
- 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 [edit]
Bases feel slippery and soapy because they hydrolyse the fatty acid ester of the skin (saponification reaction).
Examples of common things which are bases [edit]
- Hand soap
- Ammonia
- Lye
- Soda
- Salt Water
