ACIDS and BASES

Liquid Particles in Acids and Bases

Every liquid is made of tiny particles that can be charged
up and react differently, depending on the liquid. Some
liquids are acids; their particles create an element called
hydrogen, and they can taste sweet, tangy, or tart. There
are many acids that you probably enjoy drinking, like
lemonade or soda. Some other liquids are bases. A base
has particles that create hydroxide, which has a very
bitter taste. In this case, you probably would never want
to drink a base!

Where are Acids and Bases?

Acids and bases are found all around your house. For
example, if you open your pantry or refrigerator, you
might see a lot of acids. Fruit juice, soda pop, vinegar,
and milk are all examples of acids. The word acid
actually comes from a Latin term meaning ''sour.'' Many materials, like sugar for instance,
dissolve in acids.

Keep looking around your kitchen, perhaps under your sink, and you might see a lot of bases.
Liquids like oven cleaner, dishwashing detergent, and baking soda are all bases. Bases can
appear soapy or bubbly, and the tiny particles that they are made up of usually break down
dirt or grime very well.
 How to distinguish between Acids and Bases

Method 1 - By Blue litmus paper

Add a drop of liquid on the litmus paper.

 Acids-Litmus turns red

 Bases-Litmus remains blue
 Neutral Liquids-Litmus stays blue

Method 2 - By Red litmus paper

Add a drop of liquid on the litmus paper.

 Acids-Litmus stays red

 Bases-Litmus turns blue
 Neutral Liquids-Litmus stays red
Method 3 – By Phenolphthalein

Add a drop of liquid into the Phenolphthalein

 Acids-Phenolphthalein remains colorless

 Bases-Phenolphthalein remains Magenta
 Neutral Liquids-Phenolphthalein stays colorless

Method 4 – By Turmeric

Add a liquid to the turmeric

 Acids-Turmeric remains yellow

 Bases-Turmeric turns brick red
 Neutral Liquids-Turmeric stays yellow
Method 5 – By Beetroot Juice

Add a liquid to the beetroot juice

 Acids-Beetroot Juice turns pink

 Bases-Beetroot Juice turns pale yellow
 Neutral Liquids-Beetroot Juice stays red

Method 6 – By Red Cabbage Juice

Add a liquid to the red cabbage juice

 Acids-Red Cabbage Juice stays pink/red

 Bases-Red Cabbage Juice turns green
 Neutral Liquids-Red Cabbage Juice stays red/pink
Method 7 – By Universal indicator

A universal indicator is collectively a mixture of

indicators which show a colour change in a solution,
which interprets how acidic or basic a solution is. A
universal indicator can be in paper form or present in a
form of a solution.

 The main components of a Universal indicator, in

the form of a solution, are thymol blue, methyl red,
bromothymol blue, and phenolphthalein. This
mixture is important because each component loses
or gains protons depending upon the acidity or basicity of the solution being tested. It is beneficial
to use this type of a universal indicator in a colourless solution. This will increase the accuracy of
indication.
 Paper form: Is a strip of coloured paper which changes colour to red if the solution is acidic and to
blue if the solution is basic. The strip can be placed directly onto a surface of a wet substance or few
drops of the solution can be dropped onto the universal indicator using dropping equipment. If the
test solution is of a dark colour, it is preferable to use a paper universal indicator.

The pH scale
The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. It ranges from 0 to 14. If a pH is lower than 7 it
indicates the solution is an acid. If it is above 7 it is a base or Alkaline. If a pH is a 7 it is neutral.
 Properties of Acids and bases
Acids
 Acids have a sour taste
 Acids dissolve in water to form solutions that conduct electricity
 Acid turns blue litmus red
 Acids have pH value less than 7
 Acids react with metals, carbonates and bases.
 Metal Reaction
Acid + Reactive metal  Salt + Hydrogen
 Carbonate Reaction
Acid + Carbonate  Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
 Base Reaction
Acid + Base  Salt + Water

Bases
 Alkalis have a bitter taste and soapy feel
 Alkalis dissolve in water to produce hydroxide ions
 Alkalis turn red litmus blue
 Alkalis have pH value more than 7
 Alkalis react with metals, ammonium salts and acids

 Metal Reaction
Alkali + Salt A  Metal hydroxide + Salt B
 Carbonate Reaction
Alkali + Ammonium  Ammonia + Water + Salt
 Base Reaction
Alkali + Acid  Salt + Water
The Periodic table
ACIDS
AND
BASES