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ACIDS, BASES, AND SALTS

Abstract: On the molecular level, acids are those that donate protons, while bases are those that accept
protons. The pH scale is used to determine the acidity of a substance; that is, the lower the pH is, the more
acidic a substance is. There are many indicators used to know the pH of a substance; the pH meter, litmus
papers, phenolphthalein, and Na2CO3 are just a few. Neutralization reaction happens when acids and bases
react together, which is always associated with heat lost (exothermic). Through titrations, an acid (or base)
can be neutralized by a base (or acid) with the aid of an indicator. Deliquescence is the process wherein a
salt forms a solution by absorbing water vapor from the atmosphere, while efflorescence is the process
wherein a hydrated salt loses water. Hydrated salts are formed because of water of crystallization, which is
a situation wherein water molecules combine with salts stoichiometrically.

Keywords: deliquescence, efflorescence, neutralization, titration, water of crystallization

Introduction hand, are commonly those that are hydroxides of group 1

Acids were first recognized as having a sour taste,
while bases were recognized as having a bitter taste and
slippery feel (Zumdahl & Zumdahl, 2012). Svante
Arrhenius was the first to recognize the essential nature of
acids and bases in his study. He stated that in aqueous
solutions, acids produce hydrogen ions while bases produce
hydroxide ions.
HCl  H+ + Cl-
acid
NH3 + H2O  NH4+ +OH-
base
Johannes Bronsted and Thomas Lowry further
explained acids as proton (H+) donors and bases as proton
(H+) acceptors. They also introduced the concept of
conjugate acids, which is formed from a base after a proton
was accepted, and conjugate base, which is what’s left from
an acid after a proton was donated.
HCl + H2O  Cl- + H3O+
acid base conjugate conjugate
base acid
NH3 + H2O  NH4+ +OH-
base acid conjugate conjugate
acid base
Water can serve as an acid in reactions with a base,
or a base in reactions with an acid (Chang, 2010). A
substance that can be an acid or a base is called amphoteric,
and water is the most common example of an amphoteric
substance (Zumdahl & Zumdahl, 2012). A strong acid has a
reaction where the equilibrium lies far to the right, that is, to
the products. This implies that strong acids ionize almost
completely that the remaining acids are essentially
negligible. When an acid is strong, its conjugate base is a
weaker base than water. A weak acid, on the other hand, has
a reaction where the equilibrium lies far to the left, that is, to
the reactants. This means that many acids do not ionize, and
the solution will contain both ions and acids. When an acid
is weak, it will form a stronger base than water. The seven
most common strong acids are hydrochloric acid (HCl),
hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), perchloric
acid (HClO4), nitric acid (HNO3), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
(Zumdahl & Zumdahl, 2012). Strong bases, on the other
and 2 metals.
The pH scale provides a convenient way to show the
acidity of a substance. It is a log scale based on 10,
expressed by the equation
pH = -log [H+]
Since it is a negative logarithm, pH decreases as [H +]
increases. The pH of a substance is measured by pH
indicators like litmus papers, pH papers, and
phenolphthalein. It can also be measured by devices like the
pH meter.
Materials and Methods
1. Samples and Reagents
The following reagents were used for this
experiment: zinc sulfide (ZnSO4), sodium chloride (NaCl),
copper (II) sulfate (CuSO4), calcium chloride (CaCl2),
sodium acetate (CH3COONa), sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4),
0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 0.5 M hydrochloric acid
(HCl), 0.1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH), 0.5 M sodium
hydroxide (NaOH), 0.1 M acetic acid (CH3COOH), 0.1 M
ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), dilute potassium
hydroxide (KOH), dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4), dilute milk
of magnesia (Mg(OH)2), and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).
Red and blue litmus paper and phenolphthalein indicator
were also used as indicators. Distilled water, 5 mL fruit
juice, and 5 mL vinegar were also used for this experiment.
2. Determining the Properties of Acids
In this procedure, 1 mL each of dilute HCl, dilute
H2SO4, acetic acid, vinegar, and fruit juice were placed in 5
different test tubes. Red and blue litmus papers were
dropped in each test tube; the color changes were noted. In
another set of test tubes, 1 to 2 drops of phenolphthalein
indicator were dropped, the color changes were also noted.
Again, in another set of test tubes, a pinch of sodium
carbonate (Na2CO3) was placed, the changes were also
observed.
3. Determining the Properties of Bases
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In this procedure, 1 mL each of dilute NaOH, dilute

KOH, dilute NH4OH, and dilute milk of magnesia were 8. Examination on the Effects of Deliquescence to a
placed in 5 different test tubes. In each test tube, red and Substance
blue litmus papers were placed, and the color changes were Approximately 1 g of CaCl2 was placed on a watch
noted. Another set of test tubes was prepared and 1 to 2 glass and was exposed to air for some time. The
drops of phenolphthalein indicator was dropped, the color observations on the result was noted.
changes were also observed. In another set of test tubes, a
pinch of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) was dropped and the 9. Examination on the Process of Efflorescence
changes were noted. Approximately 1 g of ZnSO4 was placed on a watch
glass and was exposed to air for some time. The results were
4. Determining the Temperature Changes During also noted.
Neutralization
One test tube was labeled as acid and another test 10. Examination on the Process of Crystallization with
tube was labeled as base. In the “acid” test tube, 5 mL 0.5 M Water
HCl was placed, and in the “base” test tube, 5 mL 0.5 Approximately 1 g of CuSO4 was placed in a test
NaOH was also placed. The temperatures inside the two test tube. The test tube was gently heated until CuSO 4 changed
tubes were recorded. The thermometer was left standing on in color. After cooling, 2 to 3 drops of water was added to
the “base” test tube, and the acid on the other test tube was the CuSO4. The changes were observed and recorded.
added into it. The change in temperature was recorded.
11. Waste Management
5. Determination of pH All wastes generated from this experiment were
Two test tubes were labeled as acid and base. placed in the inorganic waste container.
Approximately 5 mL 0.1 M HCl was placed in the “acid”
test tube, while 5 mL 0.1 M NaOH was placed in the “base” Results and Discussion
test tube. A pH meter was used to determine the pH of the 1. Determining the Properties of Acids
two solutions. The theoretical pH was recorded using the Table 1.1. Results of Determining the Properties of Acids.
formula for pH. Two test tubes were again labeled as acid Properties of Acid 1 mL of HCl 1 mL of H2SO4
and base, and approximately 5 mL of 0.1 M acetic acid was Blue Litmus Paper Red Red
placed in the “acid” test tube, while 5 mL of 0.1 NH 4OH Red Litmus Paper Red Red
was placed in the “base” test tube. The pH of the two
Phenolphthalein The clear liquid The clear liquid
solutions were also recorded using a pH meter. The pH of
became slightly became slightly
the solutions in the first set of test tubes were compared to cloudy cloudy
solutions in the second set of test tubes.
Na2CO3 The solid Na2CO3 It dissolved in
6. Process of Titrations settled at the bottom the acid and the
A test tube was filled with 5 mL 0.5 M HCl, and 1 and the solution became light
drop of phenolphthalein indicator was dropped. With a became violet. pink.
dropper, 0.5 M NaOH was added until one drop changed the
color of the solution to pink. The volume of the NaOH Table 1.2. Continuation of Table 1.1.
added was recorded. Properties of 1 mL of 1 mL of 1 mL of
Acid Acetic Acid Vinegar Fruit Juice
7. Examination on the Reaction of Substances with Blue Litmus Red Red Red
Indicators Paper
In three different test tubes, a pinch of NaCl, Red Litmus Red Red Red
CH3COONa, and NaSO4 were added. The substances were Paper
mixed with 1 mL distilled water. Red and blue litmus papers
were dropped in each test tube and the color changes were Phenolphthalein The clear The clear The clear
recorded. In another set of these solutions, 1 to 2 drops of liquid liquid liquid
phenolphthalein indicator were added and the changes in became became became
slightly slightly slightly
color were recorded. In another set of test tubes, a pinch of
cloudy cloudy cloudy
Na2CO3 was added and the changes were observed.
Na2CO3 It created The The solid
bubbles and appearance Na2CO3
the solution of the settled at the
became dark Na2CO3 bottom and
violet. became a the color
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light shade became light salt, which is composed of an Na + ion, a conjugate of

of pink pink. NaOH, which is a strong base, and a carbonate (CO 3-) ion, a
The data shows how the reactions occurred when conjugate of a HCO3, which is a weak acid. Under acidic
solutions of dilute HCl, dilute H2SO4, acetic acid, vinegar, solutions, it will decompose and turn from ash brown color
and fruit juice were introduced to pH indicators: red and into violet or pink which is similar to the observations
blue litmus papers, phenolphthalein indicator, and Na 2CO3. recorded when it was added to the acidic reagents.
It was observed that the solutions turned the blue litmus
paper indicator into a red color, while the red litmus paper
showed no changes. This is because blue litmus papers turn
into red in acidic conditions, while red litmus papers turn
into blue in basic conditions. Since the solutions present are
acids, which have their pH level ranging only from zero (0)
to less than seven (7), the blue litmus paper changed but the Figure 1.3. HCl, H2SO4, acetic acid, vinegar, and fruit juice
red litmus paper did not. (from left to right) reaction with phenolphthalein indicator.

2. Determining the Properties of Bases

Table 2.1. Results of Determining the Properties of Bases.
Properties of Bases 1 ml of NaOH 1 ml of KOH
Blue Litmus Blue Blue
Red Litmus Blue Blue
Figure 1.1. HCl, H2SO4, acetic acid, vinegar, and fruit juice Drops of Its color instantly Its color instantly
(from left to right) reacted with blue and red litmus papers. Phenolphthalein turned into purple turned into purple

Pinch of Na2CO3 There were no There were no

With the addition of the phenolphthalein
changes in the changes in the
(C20H14O4) into the acids, the solution turned cloudy but appearance of the appearance of the
showed no color changes. Phenolphthalein is an organic mixture. mixture.
compound that is used as an acid-base indicator. It turns
colorless below pH 8.5 but turns into a pink to deep red Table 2.2. Continuation of Table 2.1.
above pH 9.0 (The Editors of Encyclodaedia Britannica, Properties of Bases 1 ml of NH4OH 1 ml of Milk of
2018). The reaction of phenolphthalein with water can be Magnesia
shown as Blue Litmus Blue Blue
HIn + H2O ⇌ H+ + In−
Red Litmus Blue Blue
where HIn is the indicator.
However, in the product solution, the solutions Drops of There were no There were no
gave give greater amount of H + than HIn will. It is because Phenolphthalein changes in the changes in the
appearance of the appearance of the
the solutions used for this procedure were acids, but HIn is
mixture. mixture.
an almost neutral compound. Due to common ion effect, the
HIn did not ionized and so the product’s solution did not Pinch of Na2CO3 Its color instantly Its color instantly
change in color. The common ion effect happens when a turned into purple turned into purple
common ion of two solutes suppresses the ionization of a pink.
weak acid (Chang, 2010), which is, in this case, the HIn. Similar to the preceding experiment, the data above
Since the indicator is already weak acidic solution, it will show how the bases NaOH, KOH, NH 4OH, and milk of
not react anymore with acids. magnesia reacted with the pH indicators: litmus papers,
phenolphthalein, and Na2CO3. The results showed that red
litmus paper turned blue when submerged into the solutions
of the mentioned reagents. The color change from red to
blue indicates that the solutions are a bases, and bases have
pH ranging from above seven (7) to fourteen (14). In
contrast with acids, bases have the property to change red
Figure 1.2. HCl, H2SO4, acetic acid, vinegar, and fruit juice
litmus paper to blue.
(from left to right) reaction with phenolphthalein indicator.
After the reaction with phenolphthalein, sodium
Meanwhile, Na2CO3 as an indicator in this specific hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) turned
experiment turned the solution into shades of violet or pink into purple. Phenolphthalein will change its color under
upon the addition of it to acids. Sodium carbonate is a basic solutions with pH value above 8.5 (The Editors of
Encyclodaedia Britannica, 2018), whereas in the
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experiment, it turned purplish. Since NaOH has a pH level surroundings, which is an exothermic reaction. The energy
of 13 and KOH has a pH level of 10-13 (depending on the is usually transferred as heat energy, causing the reaction
concentration in water), they are strong bases, and their mixture and its surroundings to be hotter. An increase in
reaction with phenolphthalein (changing the color of temperature corresponds to an increase in average kinetic
solution into purple) is instant. In contrast, upon addition of energy of the particles in reacting mixture. This explained
phenolphthalein to bases NH4OH and milk of magnesia why the temperature of the solution increased when HCl
[Mg(OH)2], no visible changes occurred because the two was added to NaOH.
mentioned reagents were only weak bases, and HIn cannot
indicate their pH anymore. 4. Determination of pH
Table 4.1. Data Gathered in Determining the pH of
Substances.
Computed
Substance pH Comparison
pH
pH = 14 + Theoretical value is
0.1 M
10.46 log (0.1) = greater than actual
NaOH
13 value by 2.54.
Figure 2.1. Bases NaOH, KOH, NH4OH, and milk of Mg Theoretical value is
(from left to right) reaction with phenolphthalein indicator. pH = -log
0.1 M HCl 1.38 less than the actual
(0.1) = 1
value by 0.38.
On the other hand, the addition of Na2CO3 to basic Comparison of strong and weak acids/bases
solutions of NaOH and KOH because Na2CO3 and the two Substance pH Comparison
solutions have the same level of basicity (both are strong HCl 1.38 Strong acid
bases). The difference in concentration and level of basicity, Acids Acetic
5.35 Weak acid
however, caused the NH4OH and milk of magnesia acid
(Mg(OH)2) to change the color of Na 2CO3 to purple/pink as NaOH 10.46 Weak base
Bases
compared to the other two reagents, because the two NH4OH 2.6 Strong acid
solutions are weak bases. Using a pH meter, results showed that 0.1 M
NaOH has a pH of 10.46, which is a weak base, while 0.1 M
HCl has a pH of 1.38, which is a strong acid. The computed
pH of NaOH is 13, which is a strong base, while HCl has a
computed pH of 1, which is a strong acid. Acetic acid
showed a pH of 5.36, which is a weak acid, while NH 4OH
yields a pH of 2.6, which is a strong acid.
The pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration
Figure 2.2. Bases NaOH, KOH, NH4OH, and milk of Mg
(from left to right) reaction with Na2CO3 in solutions, which shows whether a solution has acidic or
basic nature (Johnson, 2018). It is a log scale based on 10,
3. Determining the Temperature Changes During pH = -log [H+] which means that when the hydrogen
concentration of a solution is increasing, its pH is
Neutralization
Table 3.1. Data Recorded in Determining the Temperature decreasing (Zumdahl & Zumdahl, 2012).
Johnson (2018) explained that strong acids are
Changes During Neutralization.
those that completely dissociate in an aqueous solution and
Substance Temperature Observation
thus release hydrogen (H+) or hydronium (H3O+) to the
Acid (HCl) 34 °C Colorless solution, and generally. It has a pH range of a zero to three.
solution Meanwhile, a weak acid is one that does not ionize
Base (NaOH) 34 °C Colorless completely and has pH range of about five or just below
solution seven. Strong bases are also those that ionize completely,
Acid + Base 39.5° C The temperature but instead release hydroxide (OH-) to the solution. Strong
increased bases generally range from 12-14 pH values. Lastly, weak
Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution bases are those that also do not ionize completely, and their
both appeared colorless and has a temperature of 34°C pH range goes somewhere between seven to ten.
(room temperature). When they were combined, the heat Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is one of the seven
increased up to 39.5 °C, while the solution remained common strong acids, the others are: hydrobromic acid
colorless. (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitric
When acids and bases are mixed, neutralization reaction acid (HNO3), perchloric acid (HClO4), and chloric acid
occurs. Neutralization reaction is when an acid and a base (HClO3) (Helmenstine, 2019). Theoretically, it has a pH
react to form ions that generate water and salt. Bonds are value of 1. The actual value of HCl, 1.38, was close to this
being made and energy is being released to the
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value. Meanwhile, sodium hydroxide is one of the strongest
bases, which are generally hydroxides of group 1 and 2.
Computation for the value of NaOH yields a result of 13.
The actual result is less than the theoretical value; It may be
because of some errors, like failure to calibrate the pH meter
accurately, or because of human errors.
Write the chemical HC l (aq )+ NaO H ( aq) →
equation
NaC l (aq )+ H 2 O(l)
As shown in table 5.1, the HCl needed 0.6 mL of
NaOH to completely neutralize or reach its endpoint, which
turned into a bright color pink because phenolphthalein was
used as an indicator. The end point of a titration is the point
at which the indicator changes color. When phenolphthalein
is used as an indicator, the start will be a colorless solution,
and the end point will be signified by a pink color,
indicating that the solution turned from a basic to acidic
solution.

Figure 4.1. Process of testing the pH of HCl (left) and

NaOH (right)

Aside from the seven common strong acids, other

acids tend to be weak acids in nature. Acetic acid
(CH3COOH) is a weak acid which has a theoretical pH of
around 2.5 (Olsen, 2018). This pH is inside the range of Figure 5.1. Titrated HCl solution using Phenolphthalein as
strong acids but when other properties like pKa are the indicator.
gathered, acetic acid is weak in nature. The actual pH
gathered has a value of 5.35, this is higher than the Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide reacted in
theoretical value of acetic acid, which, again, may be cause a one to one molar ratio, which, when written, is
of errors during the experiment. HC l (aq )+ NaO H ( aq) → NaC l (aq )+ H 2 O ( l )
Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), on the other which formed water and aqueous sodium chloride. When
hand, is a weak base formed by ammonia and water. this solution was heated, white crystal residues formed, due
Theoretically, 0.1 M NH4OH has a pH value of 11.1 to evaporation of water, which indicate the formation of
(National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). The solid NaCl salt.
gathered pH value is 2.6, which is a pH value of strong
acids. In this case, great error happened during the 6. Examination on the Reaction of Substances with
procedure, and it is advisable to repeat the procedure again. Indicators
Table 6.1. Reaction of Salts with Indicators.
Salts Reaction
Red Blue Phenolphthalein Na2CO3
Litmus Litmus
Paper Paper
NaCl no no no reaction no
reaction reaction reaction
Sodium Turned no pink solution no
acetate to blue reaction reaction
Figure 4.2. Process of testing the pH of acetic acid (left) NaHSO4 no Turned no reaction pink
and NH4OH (right) reaction to red solution
As shown in table 6.1., sodium chloride solution
5. Process of Titrations had no reaction with all the indicators used. Sodium acetate
Table 5.1. Results of Titration of Hydrochloric Acid/ solution changed the red litmus paper to blue, reacted with
Amount of base 0.6mL of NaOH phenolphthalein which made a pink solution, and made no
(NaOH) use to reaction with sodium carbonate. Lastly, sodium sulphate
neutralize the acid solution turned the blue litmus paper to red, made no
(HCl) reaction with phenolphthalein, and turned pink in the
After evaporation of White crystals formed around presence of sodium carbonate.
solvent the evaporating dish Salts, together with water are products of the
reaction of acids and bases.
HA + BOH  AB + H2O
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where HA is the acid, BOH is the base, and AB is the salt.
There are three kinds of salts: the neutral, the basic, and the
acidic. Neutral salts are formed by strong acids and bases,
basic salts are formed by weak acids and strong bases, while
acidic salts are formed by strong acids and weak bases.
Sodium Chloride is formed by the reaction of HCl,
a strong acid, and NaOH, a strong base.
HCl + NaOH  H2O + NaCl
Because of this, NaCl is considered a neutral salt,
which explains why it made no reaction with all the
indicators used.
Sodium acetate is formed by the reaction of
CH3COOH, a weak acid, and NaOH, a strong base.
CH3COOH + NaOH ↔ CH3COONa + H2O
Therefore, sodium acetate is considered a basic
salt, and this is the reason why the red litmus paper turned
into blue, because basic conditions turn litmus papers into
blue. Its basicity is also the reason why its color turned into
pink in the presence of phenolphthalein, because
phenolphthalein indicators turn to pink in basic solutions.
However, it made no reaction with sodium carbonate
because sodium carbonate is a basic salt as well, formed by
NaOH and H2CO3.
Sodium bisulfate, on the other hand, is formed by
the reaction of NaOH and H2SO4.
H2SO4 + NaOH  NaHSO4 + H2O
However, although it came from a strong acid and
strong base, it is an acid salt. This is because H 2SO4 can
further ionize and form H3O+, making it acidic.
NaHSO4  Na+ + HSO4-
HSO4- + H2O  SO42- + H3O+
Due to its acidic nature, it turned the blue litmus
paper into red, because acid conditions have the capacity to
turn litmus papers to red. It had no reaction with
phenolphthalein because phenolphthalein do not change
colors in acidic conditions, in fact, it becomes clearer in
acidic conditions. Sodium bisulfate became a pink solution
in the presence of Na2CO3 because Na2CO3 decomposes in
the presence of acidic conditions, turning into a pink or
violet solution, which made it an indicator of acids.
Figure 6.1. Sodium chloride solution (left), Sodium Acetate
(middle), and NaHSO4 (right), all with red and blue litmus
paper, Phenolphthalein, and Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3).
7. Examination on the Effects of Deliquescence to a
Substance
Table 7.1. The Effect of Deliquescence on CaCl2.
Observation
The CaCl2 were converted into liquid brine after some
time
After leaving solid CaCl2 exposed to air after some
time, the substance became liquified.
Deliquescence is the process wherein a substance
absorbs moisture from the atmosphere until a solution form.
It occurs when the partial pressure of water vapor in the air
is greater than the vapor pressure of the solution formed
(The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2014).
In this experiment, since CaCl 2 is very
deliquescent, it forms liquid brine when exposed to air as
time goes by. A brine is a solution with high concentration
of salt.
Figure 7.1. Calcium chloride before deliquescence (left)
and calcium chloride after deliquescence (right)
8. Examination on the Process of Efflorescence
Table 8.1. The Effect of Efflorescence to ZnSO4.
Observation
The ZnSO4 was pulverized.
Efflorescence is a process of spontaneous loss of
water from a hydrated salt, which happens when the partial
pressure of the water vapour in the air is less than the
aqueous vapor pressure of the hydrate (The Editors of
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019). Zinc sulfate appears
geologically as a white crumbly salt, and when it undergo
efflorescence process, it is known as “goslarite”, which is a
heptahydrate of zinc sulfate.
Since efflorescence simply means dehydration,
certain sulfate compunds, such as zinc sulfate that is used in
the experiment, can substitute metals as they lose water.
9. Examination on the Process of Crystallization with Water
Table 9.1. Water of Crystallization on CuSO4.
Before heating After heating After addition of
water
Blue crystalline Became white Salt became blue
substance powdery again
substance
Before heating, copper sulfate was a blue crystal.
Upon heating, copper sulfate turned into white. However,
upon addition of water, it turned into blue again.
Water of crystallization is a condition wherein water
is stoichiometrically bound into a crystal, and crystals with
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water of crystallization are called hydrates (Helmenstine, hydrated salt. Hydrated salts happen because of water of
2018). crystallization, where water molecules become bound within
Copper sulfate, in its pure form, is a white substance. the system of a salt crystal.
However, its most common form is its hydrated form; that
is, copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O), which is a References
blue compound.
Copper sulfate pentahydrate was made pure by
heating, which caused it to become a white powdery
substance. When copper sulfate was heated, the water
molecules bound to the crystals evaporated and left the
crystals, leaving only the pure copper sulfate. Upon addition
of water, however, water molecules entered the system
again, making it blue in color once again.

Figure 9.1. Copper sulfate pentahydrate (left), pure copper

sulfate (middle), and hydrated copper sulfate (right)

Conclusions
According to the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids
and bases, acids are substances that donate protons in a
solution, while bases are substances that accept those
protons. The pH is a scale that shows the acidity or basicity
of a substance; the lower the pH is, the higher the acidity of
a substance is. Neutralization reaction is a process where
acids and bases are mixed to form a solution, which always
result to an exothermic reaction. Titrations are processes
done to neutralize an acid or a base, which is done with the
aid of indicators to indicate if a shift from an acid (or base)
to a base (or acid) already happened. When acids and bases
react together, they form water and salt. Salts formed can be
acidic, basic, or neutral, depending on the nature of the acid
and base formed. Acidic salt forms from a strong acid and a
weak base, basic salt forms from a weak acid and a strong
base, and neutral salts form from a strong acid and a strong
base. Deliquescence is the process wherein a salt absorbs
water from the atmosphere and forms a solution, while
efflorescence is the process wherein water is lost from a
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Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry 10th ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Helmenstine, A. M. (2018, August 4). Water of Crystallization Definition. Retrieved from ThoughtCo.:
https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-water-of-crystallization-605786

The Editors of Encyclodaedia Britannica. (2018, November 23). Phenolphthalein. Retrieved from Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/science/phenolphthalein

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2014, January 27). Deliquescence. Retrieved from Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/science/deliquescence

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2019, August 07). Efflorescence. Retrieved from Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/science/efflorescence

Zumdahl, S., & Zumdahl, S. (2012). Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. United States of America: Brooks/Cole Cengage
Learning.

Questions:
1. What are some differences between acids and bases?
(Name at least 3)
Answer: First, acids are sour while bases are bitter.
Second, acids turn the blue litmus paper to red, while bases
turn the red litmus paper to blue. Lastly, acids have lower
pH levels, which means their [H +] are big, while bases have
higher pH levels, which means their [H+] are small.

2. What does it suggest when neither of blue nor red litmus

paper reacts (changes color) with a certain substance?
Answer: This means that the substance is neither
acidic nor basic. The solution that is being tested is neutral.

3. Why do you think that some acids have different pH level

even though they have the same concentration (same goes
for base)?
Answer: Acids and bases are not just acids and bases;
both have varying strengths. Acids of halogens (except for
fluorine), together with H2SO4, HClO4, and HNO3 are the
most common strong acids, everything else (beside from
complex strong acids) are considered weak. For bases, the
most common strong bases are hydroxides of Group 1 and
2, which implies that mostly everything else aside from
these are weak bases. Even though the concentrations are
the same, a strong acid will always have a pH level lower
than a weak acid, because strong acids ionize completely
while weak acids do not; therefore, the concentration of
protons (H+) for strong acids are greater than weak acids.
The same concept goes for bases. Strong bases have a
greater tendency to combine with protons than weaker
bases, so the concentration of protons in strong bases are
smaller than weak bases, therefore having greater pH levels,
despite having the same concentrations.