Acids and Bases - Essay Example

Acids and bases Introduction Daily interaction with substances exhibits differences in properties that can be detected through either the sense of taste or touch. While some substances such as lemon juice are sour, others such as soap have a bitter taste. Similarly, some fluids, especially in industrial setups, are corrosive. These are some of the characteristics of acids and bases. An acid is a substance that reacts with water to generate hydrogen ions while a base is a substance that reacts with water to generate hydroxide ions (Files, p. 1). This paper seeks to discuss the topic, ‘of acids, and bases.

’ The paper will explore the properties of the two classes of substances and the reaction between acids and bases. Acids and bases exhibit different sets of properties that classify them along the pH scale. The concentration of hydrogen ions in aqueous acidic solutions classifies the substances below a pH value of seven, neutral state, while hydroxide ions concentration classifies alkaline solutions above seven in the pH scale. The presence of cat ions and anions in the basic and acidic solutions, as chemical properties, allows for the reaction between acids and bases to form ionic salts and covalently bonded water molecules.

Acids also react with metals and carbonates to form salts together with hydrogen gas and water and carbon (IV) oxide respectively (Moore, p. 171; CK-12, p. n.p.). Hydrochloric acid for example reacts with sodium hydroxide to yield sodium chloride and water. Similarly, zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen gas (Moore, p. 171; CK-12, p. n.p.). Discussion acids and bases have different sets of properties that can be used to investigate them. Effects of the properties such as the corrosive nature of acids can physically indicate their presence.

Acids also have a characteristic sourness and turn a litmus paper to red, a feature that is used to test for acidity (Files, p. 1). Moore explains that acids have a corrosive effect that burns the skin. The chemicals also react with metals to form salt and hydrogen as shown below. Metal + Acid Salt +Hydrogen Zinc, for example, reacts with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen gas as shown below.Zn(s)+Hcl(aq)  ZnCl(aq) + H2(g) Similarly, acids react with carbonates to form salt, water, and carbon (IV) oxide and with bases to form salt and water.

Sodium hydroxide for example reacts with hydrochloric acid forming sodium chloride and water while hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium carbonate to form calcium chloride, carbon (IV) oxide, and water as shown below.HCl(aq)+NaOH(AQ) H2O(l)+ NaCl(aq) 2HCl(aq)+CaCO3(s) CaCl2(aq)+ CO2(g)+ H2O(l) (Moore, p. 171; CK-12, p. n.p.).Bases however, “taste bitter, feel slippery on the skin, react with oil and greases, react with litmus paper and turn it blue” and form salt and water upon reaction with acids as shown above (Moore, p. 171). Summary acids and bases are classes of chemicals and exhibit different sets of properties.

They can be identified by either using an indicator or investigating their chemical properties. While acids are sour, turn litmus paper red, and react with metals, hydroxides, and carbonates to form a salt with hydrogen, water, and water and carbon (IV) oxide respectively, bases are bitter, slippery on the skin, react with oil and grease and reacts with acids to form water and salt. Acids and bases, therefore, exhibit trends in chemical properties that characterize chemical reactions. ConclusionThe paper succeeded in meeting its purpose of exploring the topic of acid and based through defining the terms and discussing the properties of the chemicals.

This was achieved through a literature review on the topic. Acids and bases, through their chemical properties directly relate to concepts of chemical bonding and chemical reactions.