Chemistry Acids and Bases

Definitions

• Acid: A substance that donates a proton (H+ ion)
• Base: A substance that accepts a proton (H+ ion)
• Salt: A substance formed by the reaction of an acid and a base

Characteristics of Acids and Bases

Acids:

• Taste sour
• Conduct electricity
• Turn litmus paper red
• React with metals to produce hydrogen gas
• Increase hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in a solution

Bases:

• Taste bitter
• Feel slippery
• Conduct electricity
• Turn litmus paper blue
• Decrease hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in a solution

pH Scale

• Measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution
• Ranges from 0-14, with:
  • 0-6.9: Acidic
  • 7: Neutral
  • 7.1-14: Basic

Strong and Weak Acids and Bases

• Strong Acids: Completely dissociate in water, releasing all H+ ions (e.g. HCl, H2SO4)
• Weak Acids: Partially dissociate in water, releasing some H+ ions (e.g. CH3COOH)
• Strong Bases: Completely dissociate in water, releasing all OH- ions (e.g. NaOH)
• Weak Bases: Partially dissociate in water, releasing some OH- ions (e.g. NH3)

Salt Formation

• Formed by the reaction of an acid and a base
• Can be acidic, basic, or neutral depending on the acid and base used
• Examples:
  • Sodium chloride (NaCl): formed from HCl (acid) and NaOH (base)
  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO3): formed from H2CO3 (acid) and Ca(OH)2 (base)

Importance of Acids, Bases, and Salts

• Acids and bases are essential for many biological processes
• Salts are crucial for maintaining proper bodily functions (e.g. nerve function, hydration)

Definitions

• Acids are substances that donate a proton (H+ ion)
• Bases are substances that accept a proton (H+ ion)
• Salts are formed by the reaction of an acid and a base

Characteristics of Acids

• Taste sour
• Conduct electricity
• Turn litmus paper red
• React with metals to produce hydrogen gas
• Increase hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in a solution

Characteristics of Bases

• Taste bitter
• Feel slippery
• Conduct electricity
• Turn litmus paper blue
• Decrease hydrogen ion (H+) concentration in a solution

pH Scale

• Measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution
• Ranges from 0-14, with acidic solutions having a pH below 7, neutral solutions having a pH of 7, and basic solutions having a pH above 7

Strong and Weak Acids and Bases

• Strong acids completely dissociate in water, releasing all H+ ions
• Weak acids partially dissociate in water, releasing some H+ ions
• Strong bases completely dissociate in water, releasing all OH- ions
• Weak bases partially dissociate in water, releasing some OH- ions

Salt Formation

• Salts can be acidic, basic, or neutral depending on the acid and base used
• Examples of salts include sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3)

Importance of Acids, Bases, and Salts

• Acids and bases are essential for many biological processes
• Salts are crucial for maintaining proper bodily functions, such as nerve function and hydration

Learn about the definitions and characteristics of acids and bases, including their properties and behaviors. Test your knowledge on the differences between acids and bases.