Acids and Bases

• • Acid: a chemical compound that produces excess hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water 
  • Found between pH 0 and 7
  • Taste sours
  • Are corrosive
  • Turns blue litmus paper red
  • Dissolve in water
  • Electrolytes can conduct electricity
  • Solution or aqueous 
• • Bases: a chemical compound that produces excess hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water
  • Makes a solution or alkaline
  • Turns red litmus paper blue
  • Found between pH 7 and 14
  • Tastes bitter
  • Feels slippery 
  • Conduct electricity
  • Dissolves in water
• • Neutral: 7 on pH scale
• • pH scale: a number system from 0-14 showing how acidic or basic a solution is (stands for potential Hydrogen)
• • Indicator: a chemical that turns another colour when in contact with an acid or a base
• • Ionization: when acids and bases are dissolved in water
• • Neutralization: When an acid and a base react together to form a neutral solution
  • Acid + Base → H2O + Ionic salt
  • Reaction occurred when: there are no extra acids or bases; the pH is 7
• • Neutralization in Nature: much of the surface rocks of Ontario’s lake is limestone (calcium carbonate) which acts as a base towards acidic lake water
• • Causes of Acid Rain: Pollutant gasses such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide interact with water and cause the pH to drop 
• • Problems with Acid Rain: plants cannot grow, marine organisms can’t survive, stone buildings and statues decay,  contamination of rainwater - respiration problems for animals
• • TUMS in Neutralization: Often, stomach acids reenter the esophagus from the stomach, namely hydrochloric acid. TUMS are a weak antacid (base) that counter the acid in a neutralization reaction, relieving the pain.