Acids and Bases
You probably think of acid as a dangerous substance. But did you
know that you consume acid every day? Most of the food that you eat
is acidic in nature. For example, lemon is acidic in nature. However,
there are a few food items that are basic in nature. How do you
determine if a substance is acidic or basic? How do you use litmus
paper? What is it?. Let’s find out more about acids and bases.
Introduction to Acids
,The word “acid” is derived from the Latin word “acidus” which means
tart or sour. Acids are molecules or other species that can donate a
proton or accept an electron pair in reactions. All acids change the
color of blue litmus paper to red. Acids lose their acidity when
combined with alkalis. Generally, the pH value of acids ranges from
zero to six.
Some common examples of acids are citrus fruits such as lemon and
oranges which contain citric acid. Lemon also has ascorbic acid.
Tamarind contains tartaric acid. Vinegar has Acetic acid. Apple
consists of Malic acid. Lactic acid is found in milk and other dairy
products. Insects like bees, ants, etc have formic acid in their stings.
Mustard Oil has stearic acid.
Properties Of Acids
The following are the properties of acids :
● Acids turn the color of blue litmus paper to red.
● All acids taste sour or tart.
● Their pH range is from 0 to 6.
, ● Acids lose their acidity when combines with bases.
● They change the color of Methyl to Orange/Yellow to Pink.
● Acidic substances convert Phenolphthalein from deep pink to
colorless.
● Acids reduce the basicity of bases.
● Most acids are corrosive, they tend to corrode or rust metals.
● They produce positive hydrogen ions (H+) when mixed with
water.
● Acids react with metals and form hydrogen gas.
● Acids produce carbon dioxide when reacted with carbonates.
Introduction to Bases
You probably think of acid as a dangerous substance. But did you
know that you consume acid every day? Most of the food that you eat
is acidic in nature. For example, lemon is acidic in nature. However,
there are a few food items that are basic in nature. How do you
determine if a substance is acidic or basic? How do you use litmus
paper? What is it?. Let’s find out more about acids and bases.
Introduction to Acids
,The word “acid” is derived from the Latin word “acidus” which means
tart or sour. Acids are molecules or other species that can donate a
proton or accept an electron pair in reactions. All acids change the
color of blue litmus paper to red. Acids lose their acidity when
combined with alkalis. Generally, the pH value of acids ranges from
zero to six.
Some common examples of acids are citrus fruits such as lemon and
oranges which contain citric acid. Lemon also has ascorbic acid.
Tamarind contains tartaric acid. Vinegar has Acetic acid. Apple
consists of Malic acid. Lactic acid is found in milk and other dairy
products. Insects like bees, ants, etc have formic acid in their stings.
Mustard Oil has stearic acid.
Properties Of Acids
The following are the properties of acids :
● Acids turn the color of blue litmus paper to red.
● All acids taste sour or tart.
● Their pH range is from 0 to 6.
, ● Acids lose their acidity when combines with bases.
● They change the color of Methyl to Orange/Yellow to Pink.
● Acidic substances convert Phenolphthalein from deep pink to
colorless.
● Acids reduce the basicity of bases.
● Most acids are corrosive, they tend to corrode or rust metals.
● They produce positive hydrogen ions (H+) when mixed with
water.
● Acids react with metals and form hydrogen gas.
● Acids produce carbon dioxide when reacted with carbonates.
Introduction to Bases
