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General Properties of Acids & Bases

By definition, acids are proton donors (positively charged ions) and bases are proton acceptors. The strength of acids and bases are labeled using a pH scale that ranges from 0 to 14. The strongest acid has a pH of 0 and the strongest base has a pH of 14. A neutral solution is right in the middle, with a pH of 7. The following is a list of general properties of acids and bases.

  1. Reaction to Litmus

    • Acids and bases can be identified by observing their reaction to litmus paper. The litmus paper will become red when exposed to an acid and blue when exposed to a base.

    Dissolution

    • Before an acid or base can give off or accept a proton, they have to dissolve in a solution.

    Neutralization

    • Acids and bases do react together to neutralize each other. They can be mixed to produce a perfectly neutral solution with a pH of 7.

    How Edible Acids and Bases Taste

    • Edible liquids that are acidic taste sour. Edible liquids that are basic or alkaline taste bitter.

    Their Chemical Behavior in a Reaction

    • In a chemical reaction, acids give off hydrogen ions, which are positively charged hydrogen atoms. However, bases give off hydroxide ions made of a single hydrogen and oxygen atom that are negatively charged.

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