Question

Indicate whether each of the following statements is characteristic of an acid or a base: a. has a sour taste b. neutralizes bases c. produces \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\) ions in water d. is named potassium hydroxide

Short answer

a. acidb. acidc. acidd. base

Step-by-step solution

- Determine characteristic of sour taste

Acids typically have a sour taste. This is one of the defining properties of an acid.

- Neutralizes bases

Substances that neutralize bases are acids. During a neutralization reaction, an acid reacts with a base to form water and a salt.

- Produces \(\text{H}^{+}\) ions in water

Acids produce \(\text{H}^{+}\) ions (or hydronium ions) when dissolved in water.

- Identify substance as potassium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a base. It produces \(\text{OH}^{-}\) ions in water and is commonly used in various applications such as soap making.

Key concepts

Acid Properties

Acids have some distinct characteristics that make them easily identifiable. One main property is their sour taste. For example, the tangy taste of lemons and vinegar is due to their acidic nature. Acids also have the ability to neutralize bases.
When an acid comes into contact with a base, they undergo a chemical reaction known as neutralization, which results in the formation of water and a salt. Moreover, acids are known to produce \(\text{H}^{+}\) ions when dissolved in water. These ions are responsible for the acidic behavior of the solution. Indicators like litmus paper can turn red in acidic environments. Examples of common acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H\(_{2}\)SO\(_{4}\))

Base Properties

Bases also have unique properties that help differentiate them from acids. One key property of bases is their bitter taste and slippery feel. Soap, which is often basic, has a slippery texture due to this property. Bases produce \(\text{OH}^{-}\) ions when dissolved in water, which is the cause of their basic behavior.
Bases can neutralize acids through a neutralization reaction, forming water and a salt. When tested with indicators like litmus paper, bases turn the paper blue. An example of a common base is potassium hydroxide (KOH), which is often used in soap making and other industrial applications. The ability to neutralize acids makes bases useful in many chemical reactions.

Neutralization Reaction

A neutralization reaction occurs when an acid and a base react to form water and a salt. This process involves the combination of \(\text{H}^{+}\) ions from the acid with \(\text{OH}^{-}\) ions from the base, resulting in the formation of water (H\(_{2}\)O).
The general equation for a neutralization reaction is:
\[ \text{Acid} + \text{Base} \rightarrow \text{Salt} + \text{Water} \] This reaction is important because it helps to neutralize the effects of acids and bases, often making the resulting solution safer and more neutral in terms of pH. For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), they form sodium chloride (NaCl) and water. Understanding neutralization is crucial for various applications, including balancing the pH in soils and treating acid indigestion.

Hydronium Ion Production

When an acid dissolves in water, it produces hydronium ions (H\(_{3}\)O\(^{+}\)). This happens because the \(\text{H}^{+}\) ions released by the acid react with water molecules. The formation of hydronium ions can be represented as follows:
\[ \text{H}^{+} + \text{H}_{2}\text{O} \rightarrow \text{H}_{3}\text{O}^{+} \]
Hydronium ions are often responsible for the acidic properties of a solution. The more hydronium ions present in the solution, the stronger the acid will be.
Measuring the concentration of hydronium ions helps to determine the pH of a solution. Lower pH values indicate a higher concentration of hydronium ions and a more acidic solution, while higher pH values indicate a lower concentration and a more basic solution. This concept is essential in various chemical processes, including those found in our stomachs, where hydronium ions help in digestion.