An acid is a solution that loses hydrogen ions. Common household acids include vinegar and citrus fruit juice. In contrast, a base is a solution that gains hydrogen ions. Acidic substances often taste sour whereas bases taste bitter and feel slippery. Since the tasting or touching of acids and bases can be harmful to human health, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 2013) recommends the use of indicators to test for the acidity or alkalinity of substances. Typically, indicators such as litmus paper change color when exposed to acids or bases (Stanley et al., 2015). As such, the present study focused on the identification of common household bases and acids, as well as acid-base reactions and their applications. In the investigation, several tests involving acids and bases were carried out.
When drops of lemon juice, grape vinegar, and apple vinegar were placed on a litmus paper, the paper turned red indicating that the solutions were acidic. The indicator was then placed on three separate moist surfaces of a kitchen. The litmus paper turned blue, blue, and red, respectively. The blue color showed that the first two moist surfaces were basic whereas the red color indicated the presence of acid on the third moist surface. Several foods were also tested. The blue litmus paper turned deep red when dipped in yogurt and wine, but turned slightly red when placed in milk because fresh milk is a weak acid. However, the litmus paper turned purple when dipped into a cup of tap water because water is a neutral liquid. Next, a soil solution was tested, and the litmus paper turned blue suggesting that the soil was alkaline.
In the second part of the experiment, the neutralization of a basic solution using acid was investigated. Baking soda was dissolved in a glass of warm water, and a few drops of liquid dish soap were added. Vinegar was then added to the solution. Immediately, an eruption was observed. The acid neutralized the basic solution causing the production of salt and the release of carbon dioxide, which created a fizzing action. The liquid dish soap turned the bubbles into foam that erupted right out of the glass. The experiment demonstrated that acid-base reactions could be used in industries and homes to neutralize acids or bases.
In conclusion, common household substances are often neutral, basic, or acidic. The acidity or alkalinity of the substances can be determined using a litmus paper, which turns red in acids and blue in basic solutions. Nonetheless, the litmus paper turns purple in neutral solutions. Generally, a base can be neutralized by adding an acid to the solution, which leads to the production of salt and carbon dioxide.
References
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2013). Health hazard criteria (mandatory). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10100
Stanley, I. R., Okoduwa, L. O., Mbora, M. E. A. & Ameh, A. A. (2015). Comparative analysis of the properties of acid-base indicator of rose (Rosa setigera), allamanda (Allamanda cathartica), and hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flowers. Biochemistry Research International, 2015, 1-6. doi:10.1155/2015/381721.
