Endless Facts, One Snippet at a Time
What Makes an Acid an Acid and a Base a Base?
- Acids release hydrogen ions (H⁺) in water, giving them their characteristic sour taste.
- Bases release hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in water, often feeling slippery or soapy.
- The pH scale measures acidity and basicity: acids fall below 7, bases above 7.
- Strong acids fully release H⁺ ions, while weak acids only partially dissociate.
- Strong bases fully release OH⁻ ions, while weak bases do so only partly.
- Acids react with metals to produce hydrogen gas—think of fizzing zinc in hydrochloric acid.
- Bases neutralize acids in a reaction that forms water and a salt.
- The Bronsted–Lowry definition describes acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors.
- Lewis expanded the idea: acids accept electron pairs, while bases donate them.
- Everyday examples: lemons and vinegar are acidic, while soap and baking soda are basic.