ACIDS AND BASES

ACIDS – are compounds which, when dissolved in water:

 Form solutions that conduct electricity.

 Reacts with metals like Zinc and Magnesium to produce salts and a gas - usually Hydrogen.
 Taste sour (but not all are safe to taste)
 Turns blue litmus paper to red, and
 React with bases to form salt and water.
BASES – are compounds which, when dissolved in water:

 Yield solution that also conduct electric current.

 Feel slippery or soapy on the skin.
 Taste bitter (but not all are safe to taste)
 Turn red litmus paper to blue, and
 React with acids to form salt and water.

DISTINGUISHING ACIDIC FROM BASIC MIXTURES.

It is through the use of the pH scale, which extends from 0 to 14. The pH scale was
proposed by the Danish biochemist S.P.L. Sorensen. In this scale, a sample with pH 7
is neutral. An acidic mixture has a pH that is less than 7. A basic mixture has a pH that
is greater than 7. In general, the lower the pH, the more acidic the mixture and the
higher the pH, the more basic is the mixture.
INDICATOR - a dye that changes into a specific color depending on whether it is placed in
an acidic solution or in a basic one. E.g.) Litmus paper - a dye taken from the
lichen plant.
*Adapted from: Hill, J. W. & Kolb, D. K. (1998). Chemistry for changing times, 8th
ed., p. 187

Table 3*. The pH values of some samples of matter

Sample of Matter pH
Gastric juice 1.6-1.8
Lemon juice 2.1
Vinegar (4%) 2.5
Softdrinks 2.0-4.0
Urine 5.5-7.0
Rainwater (unpolluted) 5.6
Milk 6.3-6.6
Saliva 6.2-7.4
Pure water 7.0
Blood 7.4
Fresh egg white 7.6-8.0
Seawater 8.4
Laundry detergents 11
Household bleach 12.8
Drain cleaner 13.0
 Importance of pH

pH and the Human Body

Acids and bases perform specific functions to balance the pH levels in the body. When your body
has too much carbon dioxide, the blood becomes too acidic. You breathe slowly. Breathing is
slowed to increase the pH in the blood. If pH in the body is too basic, you will hyperventilate to
lower the pH. This acid and base control is an important part of biological homeostasis (balance) in
humans. In fact, human life is sustained only if the pH of our blood and body tissues is within a
small range near 7.4.

Use of pH in Food Processing and Fruit Preservation

During food processing, pH is closely followed. Changes in pH affect the growth of

microorganisms, which cause food spoilage. Most bacteria grow best at or near pH 7. To prevent
the growth of harmful bacteria, pickling is an effective food preservation method because it lowers
pH. The control of pH is also needed in wine and jam preparation. A few species of bacteria grow
in a basic medium of pH 9-10. This is the pH range of stale eggs. Most molds grow within the pH
range of 2- 8.5. In acidic conditions, many fruits and products made from fruits are easily attacked
by molds unless the fruits are properly protected.

Control of pH in Soil

The pH of soil is very important. Some plants grow well in acidic soil while others prefer basic soil.
Farmers need to know the pH of their soil since plants will only grow in a narrow pH range. The pH
also affects how much nutrients from the soil become available to plants. Most plants in the
Philippines grow in acidic soils. These plants are banana, kaimito, durian, pineapple, soybean,
coffee, eggplant, squash, kamote, and rice. Other plants like grapes and pechay require basic
soils. Some plants grow best in almost neutral soil like orange, peanut, watermelon, beans,
cabbage, tomato, corn garlic, and onion.

pH of Rainwater

The average pH of rain is 5.6. This slightly acidic pH is due to the presence of carbon dioxide in
the air. In many areas of the world, rainwater is much more acidic, sometimes reaching pH 3 or
even lower. Rain with a pH below 5.6 is called “acid rain.” The acidic pollutants in the air that come
from the burning of fuels used in power plants, factories, and vehicles produce gases which are
acidic. These gases enter the atmosphere and dissolve in water vapor in the air. Some acid rain is
due to natural pollutants like those from volcanic eruptions and lightning.

Maintaining pH of Personal Care Products

Most personal care products have pH kept at specific levels to avoid harmful effects on the body.
This is true for hair products. For example, at pH 12, hair already dissolves, that is why hair
removers usually have pH of 11.5 to12. Most shampoos are within the pH range of 4 to 6. This is
because the pH of the product must be compatible with that of the hair, which is in the range pH 4
to 5. Hair is least swollen and is strongest at this pH range. But very often, using shampoo leaves
the hair basic. So, in order to avoid eye irritation and stinging, shampoos for infants and children
have a pH similar to that of tears (pH 7.4). Hair has a protective covering called sebum. The use of
conditioners after using shampoo puts back this oily coating and penetrates the hair shaft itself.
 What happens when acids and bases combine?

Mixtures that are not acidic or basic are called neutral. When an acid mixes with a base, water
and salt are produced. Such a process is called neutralization.

Treating indigestion.
The acid in our stomach, gastric juice, is hydrochloric acid with low concentration. It helps in the
digestion of food. If we eat too much food, the stomach produces more acid which leads to
indigestion and pain. To cure indigestion, the excess acid must be neutralized by tablets called
antacids. These contain bases to neutralize the excess acid in the stomach.

Using toothpaste to avoid tooth decay.

Bacteria in the mouth can change sweet types of food into acid. The acid then attacks the
outermost part of the tooth and leads to tooth decay. Toothpaste contains bases that can
neutralize the acid in the mouth.

Treating soil.
You will recall in the earlier part of this module that some plants grow well in acidic soil while
others prefer basic soil. Farmers need to know the pH of their soil. Most often, the soil gets too
acidic. When this happens, the soil is treated with bases such as quicklime
(calcium oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or calcium carbonate. The base is usually spread
on the soil by spraying.

Treating factory waste.

Liquid waste from factories often contains acid. If this waste reaches a river, the acid will kill fish
and other living things. This problem can be prevented by adding slaked lime (calcium hydroxide)
to the waste in order to neutralize it.

Safety in Handling Acids and Bases

Acids and bases with high concentrations can
cause serious burns. For example, hydrochloric acid (commonly called
muriatic acid) is used in construction to remove excess mortar from bricks
and in the home to remove hardened deposits from toilet bowls.
Concentrated solutions of hydrochloric acid (about 38%) cause severe
burns, but dilute solutions can be used safely in the home if handled

carefully. You can find the following caution in a bottle of muriatic acid: Acidic mixtures
can easily “eat away” your skin and can make holes in
clothes. However, since vinegar is only 5% acetic acid, it will not irritate the
skin and destroy clothes.
Sodium hydroxide (commonly called lye or liquid sosa) is used to open
clogged kitchen and toilet pipes, sinks, and drains. Its product label shows
the following warning: For your safety, you should make it a habit to read product labels
before using them. It is also important to know the proper way of storing
these products, as shown in the label of liquid sosa.
Name: _____________________________ Grade & Section: _______________
Date: ______________________________

Table 1. Acidic or basic nature of household materials

Sample Color of indicator Nature of sample

calamansi
tap water (water from
the faucet)
vinegar
sugar in water
baking soda
baking powder
soft drink (colorless)
toothpaste
shampoo
soap