Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water, while bases are substances that release hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. Acids have a pH less than 7 and taste sour, while bases have a pH greater than 7 and taste bitter.
The strength of an acid or base is measured on the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while lower numbers indicate acids and higher numbers indicate bases. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that each number represents a 10-fold change in acidity or basicity.
A strong acid or base is one that completely ionizes in water, meaning that all of the acid or base molecules dissociate into ions. A weak acid or base only partially ionizes in water, resulting in a lower concentration of ions. Strong acids and bases have a higher tendency to react, while weak acids and bases are less reactive.
When an acid and a base are mixed together, they undergo a neutralization reaction, forming a salt and water. The acid donates a proton (H+) to the base, forming a conjugate base, and the base accepts the proton to form a conjugate acid. The resulting solution will have a pH closer to 7, depending on the strengths of the acid and base used.
Acids and bases are used in many industries, including food and beverage production, cleaning and sanitation, and pharmaceuticals. They are also important in biological processes, such as digestion and maintaining the pH balance in the body. In addition, acids and bases are used in chemical reactions, such as acid-base titrations, to determine the concentration of a solution.