To the layman, an acid is a corrosive liquid that dissolves everything it makes contact with, and is extremely dangerous and scary. However, acids and bases are not as scary as Hollywood makes it out to be. In fact, we are surrounded by acids and bases. That said, in a laboratory, acids and bases, like anything else, must be treated with caution.
An acid is a substance that ionises in water to produce hydrogen ions ( H+ ).
A base is any metal oxide or metal metal hydroxide. Alkalis are soluble bases. Alkalis ionise when they dissolve in water to form hydroxide ions ( OHˉ )
There are also various reactions with acids and bases:
1. Acid + Metal → Metal Salt + hydrogen gas.
Eg. Hydrochloric acid + Magnesium → Magnesium Chloride + Hydrogen gas.
2. Acid + Base → Salt + Water
Eg. Sulfuric acid + copper (II) oxide → Copper (II) Sulfate + Water
3. Acid + Carbonate compounds → Salt + Carbon dioxide gas + Water
Eg. Hydrochloric acid + Sodium bicarbonate → Sodium Chloride + Carbon dioxide gas + Water
4. Alkali + Ammonium compound → Salt + Ammonia gas + Water
Eg. Sodium hydroxide + Ammonium chloride → Sodium chloride + Ammonia gas + Water
And there you go, the 4 types of reactions involving acids and bases.
Acids and Alkali are actually more common that you think. Common examples of acids include:
ethanoic acid, found in vinegar
citric acid, found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.
lactic acid, found in sour milk and yogurt
tannic acid, found in tea
and finally tartaric acid, found in grapes.
As you can see, not all acids are dangerous. Some acids are actually harmless to us. So next time you think of an acid, think of your very harmless citrus fruit ;)
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