Acids, Bases and Buffers

• Water is neutral. Water = 7.
• H2O -> H+ + OH-
• H+ ions are acidic.
• OH- ions are basic.
• Strong acids can burn skin and eyes, dissolve metals. (ex. lemon juice, car battery acid)
• Strong bases can burn skin and eyes.
• Bases react easily with proteins than metal (used for cleaning).
• Neutral: neither acidic nor basic.
• pH: 'p' stands for potential & 'H' stands for hydrogen.
• pH: the potential of a substance to attract hydrogen ions.
• Acid: More H+, pH less than seven.
• Base (Alkaline): More OH-, pH greater than seven.
• Neutral: equal H+ and OH-, pH of seven.
• Blood pH is 7.4
• 7.4 -> 6.4 is 10 times less.
• 7.4 -> 5.4 is 100 times less.
• Buffers are certain salts which combine with excess hydrogen/hydroxide ions.
• Buffers produce substances as less acidic/alkaline.
• Buffers act like a chemical sponge to soak up excess acid/base and keeps the pH constant.
• Buffers are vital to maintain pH in organisms (antiacids).