Acids

Some properties of acids include sour taste, ability to turn blue litmus paper red, and ability to react with metals to produce hydrogen gas. Some properties of bases include bitter taste, ability to turn red litmus paper blue, and ability to feel slippery. Some properties of salts include the ability to form crystals, the ability to conduct electricity when dissolved in water, and the ability to enhance flavor in food.

Some natural indicators of acids include litmus, which turns red in acids, and some flower petals, which change color in the presence of acids. Some natural indicators of bases include turmeric, which turns red in bases, and some fruits, which change color in the presence of bases.

Acids are used in everyday life in various ways, such as in the production of fertilizers, in the food and beverage industry for flavoring and preservation, in the cleaning industry for removing rust and mineral deposits, and in the pharmaceutical industry for medicine production.

Neutralization is the chemical reaction between an acid and a base to form water and a salt. An example of its application in everyday life is the use of antacid tablets to neutralize excess stomach acid and relieve indigestion.

Natural indicators such as litmus are important for determining the acidity or basicity of substances without the need for complex equipment. An example is using red cabbage juice as a natural indicator to test the pH of soil for agricultural purposes.

Acidic factory wastes can contaminate water sources and harm aquatic life. One method for treatment is neutralizing the acidic waste with a base before disposal to reduce its environmental impact.