An acid is defined as a chemical substance that is capable of forming an aqueous solution with the ability to turn a blue litmus paper red, have a sour taste and form salts when it reacts with certain metals and bases. A substance will qualify to be an acid if it is capable of increasing the number of hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, or the capability of that substance to be deprotonated, act as a proton donor during reactions. A base is a substance that in aqueous solution feels slippery, has a bitter taste, and is capable of turning red litmus paper blue. A substance is described as basic if it is capable of accepting protons and being able to produce hydroxide ions in aqueous solution. The acidity of a substance can be measured using a litmus paper and a pH scale. An acidic substance will turn a blue litmus paper red. A basic element will turn a red litmus paper blue (Oxlade 82). A pH scale is used to give a concentration of hydrogen ions in any solution. The level is labeled from 0-14 and pH7 being the middle point. Substances with a pH number that is less than 7 are acidic while that with pH number greater than 7 is a base.
Acids can react with several materials including bases, carbonates, and metals especially those reactive. A reaction between an acid and a base is known as neutralization reaction. When the two reacts, they form salt and water only. When an acid reacts with metal carbonates, for example, calcium carbonate, salt, water, and carbon dioxide are formed. A reaction between an acid and reactive metals such as zinc forms a salt and hydrogen gas. When bases react with water it forms a corresponding gas and hydroxide. For example, ammonia reacts with water to form ammonium and hydroxide. Bases also react with water in a neutralization reaction to form water and salt only.
Titration is a technique used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by use of a solution whose concentration is known. The method is carried out in several steps. When the sample to be used is solid, an accurate weighing balance is used to weigh it and then dissolved to form a solution of a known volume. An exact volume of the solution is measured using a pipette, and a pipette filler can be used to draw the excess solution and then emptied in a conical flask. Few drops are then added to the conical flask. Another solution of known concentration is placed in a burette. It’s the solution that is meant to react with the solution in a conical flask. The solution in burette is added each drop at a time while swirling to mix them. There result in a color change, which means that an amount added have reacted completely with the solution in a conical flask. Burette reading is then noted to determine the volume used. Titration helps to measure the amount of solution that can completely react with the other and utilized in the finding of purity of substances use (Benjamin 44)
Acid and bases are very useful in individual’s daily lives. Acids such as ascorbic acids help in provisions of Vitamin C to human beings. Sulphuric acids are used in batteries, and cars will not start without such batteries. Citric acids are used in fastening rotting of food. Different types of bases also have several uses. Sodium hypochlorite found in bleach helps in removing stains while washing. Magnesium hydroxide is well known for treatment of stomach problem and use of use of ammonium hydroxide in the cleaning of glasses.
References
Benjamin, Mark M. Water Chemistry. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press, 2014.
Oxlade, Chris. Acids and bases. Chicago, Illinois: Heinemann Library, 2007.
