Overview:
Acids, bases, and salts are chemical compounds that are defined by their properties and chemical reactions with one another. Their strength is measured with indicators, such as litmus paper.
What Are Common Acids?
Some common acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl), acetic acid, found in vinegar, and citric acid, found in citrus fruits. Many have a sour taste, although acids at laboratory strength are not safe to taste and may cause chemical burns if spilled on the skin. Acids are defined in chemical reactions as those substances that can donate H+ ions. They react with metals, and turn blue litmus paper red.
What Are Common Bases?
Some common bases include sodium hydroxide, found as lye, calcium oxide, used as lime, and ammonia. Bases at laboratory strength are not safe to taste and may also cause chemical burns if spilled on the skin. Weaker bases, such as soap, have a slippery feel and a bitter taste. Bases are defined in chemical reactions as those substances that accept H+ ions. They do not react with metals, and turn red litmus paper blue.
How Are Salts Produced?
When acids and bases combine, the solution that results do not have the properties of either substance. They form a new substance called a salt. The most common salt is sodium chloride (NaCl), ordinary table salt, although many other salts exist. Their properties are more varied than either acids or bases
How Do Salts Behave in a Solution?
How salts behave when they are in a solution depend on whether they were the result of a strong acid and a strong base, a strong acid and a weak base, a weak acid and a strong base, or a weak acid and a weak base. A reaction of a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (NaOH) results in a neutral salt (NaCl), that is neither acidic or basic in a solution of water. A reaction of a strong acid (HCl) and a weak base (NH3) results in a salt (NH4Cl), that is slightly acidic in water. Reactions of weak acids and strong bases result in salts that are slightly basic in water, such as the reactions within blood that cause it to be slightly basic.
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