source

Introduction

Acids and bases can simply be defined as chemical substances which when combined with other materials results in certain chemical reactions. Acids can sometimes be found in natural substances, which sometimes are fruits like like, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc. Bases on the other hand can also be found in certain natural substances including burnt palm bunch waste, burnt wood ash, etc. A majority of the chemical, physical and biological systems are dependent on the the properties characterized by acids and Bases. My dearest friends and fellow steemians join me in this post as we study and explore the nature of acids and bases.

ACIDS

A long term and simple definition which most of us use to recognize an acid is that; An acid is any chemical substance which when applied to a blue litmus paper will turn it red, this is not just a definition but also a major test for identifying acids.

Types Of Acids

Acidss have been long categorized into two types which are the organic and the inorganic acids.

1. Organic Acids: These are acids which are naturally occurring. They come to man through certain natural substances like fruits. Fruits which often have acids are generally characterized by having a sour taste.
Examples of organic acids are; Citric acid ( they're found in citrus fruits like grapefruit, lemon or lime, it mostly occurs in unripe ones) and Acetic acid (this is found in vinegar).

2. Inorganic Acids: These kind of acids are prepared in the laboratory by man. They are not obtained from any natural plant or fruits.
Examples are; trioxonitrate (V) acid which is a nitric acid, tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid which is a sulphuric acid) hydrochloric acid, trioxocarbonate (IV) acid which is a carbonic acid.

Physical Properties of Acids:

1. Decolorises blue litmus to red litmus.
2. Acids can be very harmful to human and living things if they're undiluted and concentrated.
3. Undiluted and very concentrated acids have the tendencies of destroying plastics and metals.
4. When an acid is added to base, it is neutralized and dissolved to form salt and water.

Uses Of Acids

1. Other chemicals are produced in the laboratories with the use of acid
2. Acids when reacted with base can be used to produce laboratory salt.
3. Acids are often used as solvents.
4. Acids are also used in industries for the production of of substances like; paint, fertilizers, etc.

BASES

Base can simply be defined as any substance which whe mixed with an acid can react to dissolve as salt and water. Bases form solutions which have the ability of turning red litmus to blue and this is one of the major laboratory test for identifying a base.

Types of Bases

There two types of bases know as; Soluble and Insoluble bases.
1. Soluble bases: Soluble bases are bases which can dissolve in water. They are also referred to as alkalis.
Examples; Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide (caustic potash).

2. Insoluble bases; These kind of bases do not dissolve in water. Examples are copper (II) oxide and zinc oxide.

Physical Properties of Bases:

There certain physical properties which one could identify a base. Some of them are below;

1. Bases generally has a bitter taste
2. Bases when rubbed between fingers gives a slippery or soapy feel.
3. Bases when reacted with acids dissolves to salt water and salt only.
4. As well as acids, when bases are undiluted or concentrated they can be very harmful.

Uses of Bases

1. Bases when dissolved in acids can be used to produce salts.
2. Some bases, when mixed with other chemicals can be used to produce soaps, detergents, drugs, etc.
3. Bases are utilized for the production of other chemicals.
4. Plaster of Paris (POP) is produces with the use of a base; calcium hydroxide (lime water).

10% beneficiary has been set to @zero-to-infinity community account