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Acids and bases change the pH of water they dissolve in. Acids have a low pH, below 7.0, and release hydrogen ions, while bases have a high pH, above 7.0, and release hydroxide ions. They can be dangerous and have different physical properties. Common examples include vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and ammonia.
An acid and a base are both chemical compounds that change the pH, or hydrogen ion concentration, of the water in which they are dissolved. Acidic solutions have a low pH, below 7.0, while basic (alkaline) solutions have a pH above 7.0. The pH of pure water is around 7.0 and is considered neutral. Acids and bases can be considered opposites of each other, and when they interact, neutralization occurs, producing a salt and water.
A hydrogen ion is a bare proton carrying a positive electric charge. Atoms consist of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons, and in their stable state, the number of protons and electrons is equal, resulting in no net charge. Ions are molecules that do not have equal numbers of protons and electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. A stable hydrogen atom has a single proton and a single electron, so a bare proton is a positive hydrogen ion.
While acids release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, bases release hydroxide ions, consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom with a net negative charge. Thus, acids increase the concentration of hydrogen atoms in the water in which they are dissolved, while bases decrease the concentration of hydrogen atoms, as their negative charge attracts bare protons. When hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions combine, the result is water or H2O, consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom with no net charge. An acid or base can be liquid, solid, or gas.
There are also differences in the physical properties of an acid and a base. Acids, such as the vinegar and citric acid in lemon juice, are tart to the taste and can produce a burning sensation on the mucous membranes. The bases have a bitter taste and a slimy or soapy texture. Both can be dangerous if they’re too strong, approaching 1 or 13 on the pH scale, and some can be dangerous for reasons other than their high acidity or alkalinity.
Some common acids include vinegar, with a pH of 3, and lemon juice, with a pH of 2. Some common bases include baking soda, with a pH of 9, and ammonia, with a pH of 11. Stomach acid has a pH of 1, which is why basic solutions like baking soda can help neutralize stomach acid. Over-the-counter antacids typically have a pH of 10.
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