ACIDS AND

BASES
CHEMISTRY
ACIDS

 An acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is capable of donating a

proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance.
Properties of Acids
• Acids are corrosive in nature.
• They are good conductors of electricity.
• Their pH values are always less than 7.
• When reacted with metals, these substances produce hydrogen gas.
• Acids are sour in taste.
• Examples:
Sulfuric acid [H2SO4], Hydrochloric acid [HCl], Acetic acid
[CH3COOH].
BASES
A base is a molecule or ion able to accept a
hydrogen ion from an acid.
PROPERTIES OF BASES
• They are found to have a soapy texture when touched.
• These substances release hydroxide ions (OH – ions) when dissolved
in water.
• In their aqueous solutions, bases act as good conductors of
electricity.
• The pH values corresponding to bases are always greater than 7.
• Bases are bitter-tasting substances which have the ability to turn
red litmus paper blue.
• Examples: Sodium hydroxide [NaOH], milk of magnesia [Mg(OH)2],
calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2].
pH of Acids and Bases
 In order to find the numeric value of the level of acidity or basicity of
a substance, the pH scale (wherein pH stands for ‘potential of
hydrogen’) can be used. The pH scale is the most common and
trusted way to measure how acidic or basic a substance is. A pH
scale measure can vary from 0 to 14, where 0 is the most acidic
and 14 is the most basic a substance can be.
 Another way to check if a substance is acidic or basic is to use
litmus paper. There are two types of litmus paper available that can
be used to identify acids and bases – red litmus paper and blue
litmus paper. Blue litmus paper turns red under acidic conditions
and red litmus paper turns blue under basic or alkaline conditions .
pH of Acids and Bases
Difference between Acids and Bases
Acids Bases

Acid gives off hydrogen ions when dissolved Bases give off hydroxyl ion when dissolved in
in water. water.

It turns blue colour litmus paper into red. It turns red colour litmus paper into blue.

It has a sour taste. It has bitter taste and soapy to touch.

Its pH value ranges from 1 to 7. Its pH value ranges from 7 to 14.

Example: HCl, H2SO4 etc. Example: NaOH, KOH etc.

Arrhenius Concept of Acids and
Bases
• The Swedish scientist Svante August Arrhenius defined acids as substances
that increase the H+ ion concentration of water when dissolved in it.
• These protons go on to form hydronium ions (H3O+) by combining with water
molecules.
• Similarly, the Arrhenius definition of a base states that bases are the
substances that, when dissolved in water, increase the concentration of
OH– ions in it.
• One of the merits of this theory is that it successfully explains the reaction
between acids and bases that yield salts and water.
• An important limitation of the Arrhenius definitions of acids and bases is that
it fails to explain how substances lacking hydroxide ions form basic solutions
when dissolved in water, such as NO2– and F–.
Bronsted Lowry Theory
• The Bronsted-Lowry theory defines an acid as a donor of protons.
• A base is defined as a proton acceptor (or H+ ion acceptor) by this theory.
• Bronsted acids undergo dissociation to yield protons and therefore increase
the concentration of H+ ions in the solution.
• On the other hand, Bronsted bases accept protons from water (the solvent) to
yield hydroxide ions.
• An advantage of the Bronsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases is its ability
to explain the acidic or basic nature of ionic species.
• An important limitation of this theory is that it fails to explain how
compounds lacking hydrogen exhibit acidic properties, such as BF3 and
AlCl3.
Conjugate Acids and Bases
• According to Bronsted-Lowry concept,  an acid is a substance
that can donate H+ and base is a substance that can accept H+.
• The acid and base which differ by proton , are said to form
conjugate acid and base pair.
•  A conjugate acid is formed when a proton is added to a base,
and a conjugate base is formed when a proton is removed from
an acid.
Conjugate Acids and Bases
Lewis Concept
• The Lewis definition of an acid states that it is a species that has a vacant orbital and therefore,
has the ability to accept an electron pair.
• A Lewis base is a species that holds a lone pair of electrons and can, therefore, act as an
electron-pair donor.
• This theory does not involve the hydrogen atom in its definition of acids and bases.
• Lewis acids are electrophilic in nature whereas Lewis Bases possess nucleophilic qualities.
• Examples of Lewis acids: Cu2+, BF3, and Fe3+. Examples of Lewis bases: F –, NH3, and
C2H4 (ethylene).
• A Lewis acid accepts an electron pair from a Lewis base, forming a coordinate covalent bond in
the process. The resulting compound is referred to as a Lewis adduct.
• A notable advantage of this concept is that many compounds can be defined as acids or bases
by it. However, it offers little insight into the strength of these acids and bases.
• One of the disadvantages of this theory is that it fails to explain the acid-base reactions that do
not involve the formation of a coordinate covalent bond.
Uses of Acids
• Vinegar, a diluted solution of acetic acid, has various household applications.
It is primarily used as a food preservative.
• Citric acid is an integral part of lemon juice and orange juice. It can also be
used in the preservation of food.
• Sulphuric acid is widely used in batteries. The batteries used to start the
engines of automobiles commonly contain this acid.
• The industrial production of explosives, dyes, paints, and fertilizers involves
the use of sulphuric acid and nitric acid.
• Phosphoric acid is a key ingredient in many soft drinks.
Uses of Bases
• The manufacturing of soap and paper involves the use of sodium hydroxide. NaOH is
also used in the manufacture of rayon.
• Ca(OH)2, also known as slaked lime or calcium hydroxide, is used to manufacture
bleaching powder.
• Dry mixes used in painting or decoration are made with the help of calcium hydroxide.
• Magnesium hydroxide, also known as milk of magnesia, is commonly used as a
laxative. It also reduces any excess acidity in the human stomach and is, therefore,
used as an antacid.
• Ammonium hydroxide is a very important reagent used in laboratories.
• Any excess acidity in soils can be neutralized by employing slaked lime.
How do you identify Acids and Bases
 To decide whether a substance is an acid or
base, count the hydrogens on each substance
before and after the reaction. If the number has
decreased that substance is the acid (which
donates hydrogen ions) . If the number of
hydrogens has increased that substance is the
base (accepts hydrogen ions)
What makes something a Acid or
Base
 An acid is a contributing product containing
hydrogen ions. If the solution contains more
hydronium ions (H3O+)  than hydroxyl ions
(OH-) , then the given solution is a acid. 
Similarly, if the solution contains more hydroxyl
ions (OH-) than hydrogen ions (H+) , then the
given solution is a base.
What is a Base and Example?
 The sodium hydroxide, calcium carbonate and
potassium oxide are examples of bases. A base
is a material that interacts with hydrogen ions
and can neutralize the acid. Bases are classified
as acceptors of a proton (H+), and ammonium
hydroxide are typical examples of the bases.
What is an Acid and its properties?
 Acids are ionic compounds that, when dissolved
in water, produce positive hydrogen ions ( H+)
When dissolved in water, acids are sour in taste,
conduct electricity and react with metals to
produce hydrogen gas. Certain indicator
compounds may be used to detect acids, such
as litmus. Acids turn blue litmus red.
Can Acids react with Metals?
Yes, acids do react with the metal to form
the corresponding salt and liberate
hydrogen gas.
2 M + 2 HX → 2 MX + H2
 THE END
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