Question

List the general properties of acids and bases.

Short answer

Acids have a sour taste, turn blue litmus paper to red, have a pH less than 7, react with bases to produce a salt and water and are proton (H+ ion) donors. Bases have a bitter taste and a slippery feel, turn red litmus paper to blue, have a pH greater than 7, react with acids to produce a salt and water and are proton (H+ ion) acceptors.

Step-by-step solution

Properties of Acids

1. Acids have a sour taste.\n2. Acids turn blue litmus paper to red.\n3. Acids have a pH less than 7.\n4. Acids react with bases to produce a salt and water, a reaction called neutralization.\n5. Acids are proton (H+ ion) donors.\n6. Most acids are corrosive and can be hazardous in concentrated forms.

Properties of Bases

1. Bases have a bitter taste and a slippery feel.\n2. Bases turn red litmus paper to blue.\n3. Bases have a pH greater than 7.\n4. Like acids, bases can also react with acids to produce a salt and water.\n5. Bases are proton (H+ ion) acceptors.\n6. Many bases, like bases, are also corrosive and can be hazardous in concentrated forms.