Acids, Bases and Salts

Did you know?

Acids and bases are popular chemicals which interact with each other resulting in the formation
of salt and water. The word acid comes from a Latin word ‘acere’ which means ‘sour’.

In our everyday lives, we use many compounds which scientists call acids. The orange or
grapefruit juice you drink for breakfast contains citric acid (also known as Vitamin C). When milk
turns sour, it contains lactic acid.

What are Acids and Bases?

An acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is capable of donating a proton (hydrogen

ion) to another substance. A base is a molecule or ion able to accept a hydrogen ion from an
acid.

Acidic substances are usually identified by their sour taste. An acid is basically a molecule which
can donate an H+ ion and can remain energetically favourable after a loss of H+. Acids are
known to turn blue litmus red.

Bases, on the other hand, are characterized by a bitter taste and a slippery texture. A base that
can be dissolved in water is referred to as an alkali. A base is a molecule or ion able to accept a
hydrogen ion from an acid. When these substances chemically react with acids, they yield salts.
Bases are known to turn red litmus blue.

FUN FACT

In our everyday lives, we use many compounds which scientists call acids. The orange or
grapefruit juice you drink for breakfast contains citric acid (also known as Vitamin C). When milk
turns sour, it contains lactic acid. The vinegar used in salad dressing contains acetic acid.
According to this a chemical bond is considered as being made up of an acid-base combination.
The properties of a molecule, therefore, can be understood by dividing it into acid and base
fragments.

pH of Acids and Bases

In order to find the numeric value of the level of acidity or basicity of a substance, the pH scale
(wherein pH stands for ‘potential of hydrogen’) can be used. The pH scale is the most common
and trusted way to measure how acidic or basic a substance is. A pH scale measure can vary
from 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most basic a substance can be.

Another way to check if a substance is acidic or basic is to use litmus paper. There are two types
of litmus paper available that can be used to identify acids and bases – red litmus paper and
blue litmus paper. Blue litmus paper turns red under acidic conditions and red litmus paper turns
blue under basic or alkaline conditions.

Properties of Acids and Bases

Acids
● Acids are corrosive in nature.
● They are good conductors of electricity.
 ● Their pH values are always less than 7.
● When reacted with metals, these substances produce hydrogen gas.
● Acids are sour-tasting substances.
● Examples: Sulfuric acid [H2SO4], Hydrochloric acid [HCl], Acetic acid [CH3COOH].

Bases

Some properties, like a bitter taste, are owned by all bases. The bases feel slippery, too. Dream
on what slippery soap looks like. And this is a foundation. Furthermore, when immersed in water,
bases conduct electricity because they consist of charged particles in the solution.

● They are found to have a soapy texture when touched.

● These substances release hydroxide ions (OH– ions) when dissolved in water.
● In their aqueous solutions, bases act as good conductors of electricity.
● The pH values corresponding to bases are always greater than 7.
● Bases are bitter-tasting substances which have the ability to turn red litmus paper blue.
● Examples: Sodium hydroxide [NaOH], milk of magnesia [Mg(OH)2], calcium hydroxide
[Ca(OH)2].

Neutral Substances

The neutral substance is a substance which has no acid or base properties, has the same
amount of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and does not modify the colour of the litmus surface.

● These substances do not display any acidic or basic characteristics.

● Their pH values approximate to 7.
● Neutral substances have no effect on red or blue litmus paper.
● The pH of pure water is exactly 7.
● Examples: Water, Common salt (NaCl)

Difference between Acids and Bases

Uses of Acids and Bases

Uses of Acids

● Vinegar, a diluted solution of acetic acid, has various household applications. It is

primarily used as a food preservative.
● Citric acid is an integral part of lemon juice and orange juice. It can also be used in
the preservation of food.
● Sulfuric acid is widely used in batteries. The batteries used to start the engines of
automobiles commonly contain this acid.
● The industrial production of explosives, dyes, paints, and fertilizers involves the use
of sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
● Phosphoric acid is a key ingredient in many soft drinks.

Uses of Bases

● The manufacturing of soap and paper involves the use of sodium hydroxide. NaOH is
also used in the manufacture of rayon.
● Ca(OH)2, also known as slaked lime or calcium hydroxide, is used to manufacture
bleaching powder.
● Dry mixes used in painting or decoration are made with the help of calcium
hydroxide.
● Magnesium hydroxide, also known as milk of magnesia, is commonly used as a
laxative. It also reduces any excess acidity in the human stomach and is, therefore,
used as an antacid.
● Ammonium hydroxide is a very important reagent used in laboratories.
● Any excess acidity in soils can be neutralized by employing slaked lime.

Assignment

Define the following terms:

1. Acid anhydride
2. Alkali
3. Salt
4. Amphoteric
5. Neutral

Find at least five chemicals in the home and classify them as acidic or basic.