ACIDS & BASES An Overview
Acids A compound that produces hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. Properties include sour taste, reactivity with metals, and ability to produce color changes in indicators
Bases A compound that produces hydroxide ions (OH -1 ) when dissolved in water. Properties include bitter taste, slippery feel, and ability to produce color changes in indicators.
In a neutralization reaction, acids are proton donors, and bases are proton acceptors Hydrogen acts as the “proton” Neutralization reactions happen between acids and bases, and the products are always a salt and water
Strength of Acids & Bases pH scale is used to measure hydrogen ion concentration Ranges from 0 to 14 The lower the pH value, the higher the hydrogen ion concentration (the stronger the acid)
Strength of Acids & Bases Pure water has a pH of exactly 7 – this is neutral
Strength of Acids & Bases Less than 7 is acid Greater than 7 is base
Strength of Acids & Bases Logarithmic scale – this means that each step represents an increase of 10 times
pH scale This scale is used to tell the concentration of H + ions versus OH - ions Things that are neutral are a 7, acids are below 7, and bases are above 7
pH Scale So how much more acidic is lemon juice pH 2 than saliva pH ! How much more basic is bleach pH 13 than sea water pH 8