Acids And Bases

Question 1

What is an acid, base and neutral?

Answer 1

Acids

taste sour
feel rough
are corrosive (attacks other substances or materials)
Examples are lemon juice, vinegar, fruit juice, pool acid

Bases

taste bitter
feel slipper on skin
dangerous to taste or feel because they are corrosive
Examples are soap, bleach, washing powder

Neutrals

They are neither acids nor bases
Examples are water, salt, sugar, cooking oil

Question 2

How can you tell the difference between an acid and base?

Answer 2

An indicator is a substance which changes colours when in contact with an acid or base.

A litmus paper is an indicator to test whether the substance is an acid, base or neutral.

If an acid touches a red litmus paper it stays red, but when it touches a blue litmus paper it turns red.

When a neutral touches a red litmus paper it stays the same colour as the same when it touches a blue litmus paper.

When a base touches a red litmus paper it turns blue. When it touches a blue litmus paper it stays blue.

This is how we can indicate whether the substance is an acid, base or neutral.