What is the Difference between an Acid and a Base?
An acid and a base (or alkaline) are both chemical compounds that change the pH, or the concentration of hydrogen ions, of water they are dissolved in. Acidic solutions have a low pH, under 7.0, while basic solutions have a pH of over 7.0. The pH of pure water is around 7.0 and is considered neutral. An acid and a base can be considered opposites of each other, and when they react with each other, neutralization occurs, producing a salt and water.
A hydrogen ion is a bare proton, which carries a positive electrical charge. Atoms are made up of protons and negatively charged neutrons, and in their stable state, the number of protons and neutrons is equal, resulting in no net charge. Ions are molecules that do not have an equal number of protons and neutrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. A stable hydrogen atom has a single proton and a single neutron, so a bare proton is a positive hydrogen ion.
While acids release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, bases release hydroxide ions, consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom with a net negative charge. Therefore, acids increase the concentration of hydrogen atoms in water in which they are dissolved, while bases decrease the concentration of hydrogen atoms, as their negative charge attracts the bare protons. When hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions combine, the result is water or H2O, consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom with no net charge. An acid and a base can both be liquid, solid, or gaseous.
There are also differences in the physical properties of an acid and a base. Acids are sour to the taste, such as vinegar and the citric acid in lemon juice, and they can produce a stinging sensation on mucous membranes. Bases have a bitter taste and a slimy or soapy texture. Both an acid and a base can be dangerous if they are too strong, approaching 1 or 13 on the pH scale, and some may be dangerous for reasons other than their high acidity or alkalinity.
Some common acids include vinegar, with a pH of 3, and lemon juice, with a pH of 2. Some common bases include baking soda, with a pH of 9, and ammonia, with a pH of 11. Stomach acid has a pH of 1, which is why basic solutions like baking soda can help neutralize stomach acid. Over the counter antacids typically have a pH of 10.
Written by Niki Foster
