Characteristics of Bases & Acids

Acids and bases have mirror properties. They are highly reactive with each other and both conduct electricity. But acids are commonly viewed as more corrosive. For example, the stomach uses hydrochloric acid to break down food while we use bleach--a base--to clean our clothes.

Definition

Acids are substances that, when dissolved in water, add more hydrogen ions (H+) than hydroxide ions (OH-) to the solution. Bases are the reverse, adding more hydroxide than hydrogen.

Chemical Formula

Chemical formulas hint whether a substance is acid or base. For example, hydrochloric acid contributes its hydrogen to the solution as H+. The base sodium hydyroxide (NaOH) contributes OH as the ion OH-.

The pH Scale

The pH scale is used to differentiate the degree to which a substance is basic or acidic. The range of the scale is between 1 and 14. Values under 7 are acidic. Values above 7 are basic.

Corrosion

Acids produce hydrogen or carbon dioxide gas when reacting with certain substances, something that bases don't do.

Neutrality

A common misconception is that pH measures the charge of water. While the concentration of OH- and H+ doesn't balance in acid and base solutions, other ions (charged particles) present maintain neutrality.

References

• Chemistry; Raymond Chang; 1984