Acids And Bases 101: The Basics Of Chemistry
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Acids

What exactly is an acid? Don't feel too acidic if you aren't sure! Let's start off by listing some properties.

An acid is a chemical substance or molecule that can:
  • Neutralize alkalis 
  • Neutralize bases to produce salt and water
  • React with carbonates to produce a salt, water and CO2
  • React with active metals to produce hydrogen
  • Turn blue litmus to red
  • Turn methyl orange to red
  • Increase H+ ion concentration in a solution
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In addition, they:  
  • Are good conductors of electricity in water
  • Have a pH below 7 
  • Are usually corrosive or sour tasting
  • Are strong electrolytes
  • Have more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions

There are also 3 important theories that talk about important properties of acids.  The 3 theories are summarized below but more elaborate information about all of them can be found here


1) Lewis Theory

  • States that an acid is an electron pair acceptor

2) Bronsted-Lowry Theory

  • States that an acid is a proton (hydrogen ion) donor

3) Arrhenius Theory

  • States that acids are substances which produce hydrogen ions in a solution

There are many different acids that can be formed. Below are some common ones:
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Here are what some of the acids above are used for:
  • Hydrochloric Acid - Is important for dissolving metals and can be found in human stomachs
  • Sulfuric Acid - Helps produce fertilizers and is used in car batteries 
  • Nitric Acid - Helps produce fertilizers, medicine, and paint
  • Acetic Acid - Is a solvent and helps produce rubber and plastic
  • Citric Acid - Is in many fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits

Some examples of acids used in our everyday lives include:
  • Milk
  • Sodas/Carbonated Drinks
  • Orange/Lemon Juice
  • Citric Fruits
  • Tea
  • Vinegar
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  • Home
  • Acids
  • Bases
  • Conjugate Acids & Bases
  • pH & pOH
    • Practice Problems
  • Reactions
    • Neutralization
    • Buffers & Indicators
  • History
    • Fun Facts
  • Glossary
  • Final Test