Acids and Bases

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Acids and bases are two groups of chemicals that have some things in common when they are dissolved in a liquid such as water.

Acids in water solutions show certain properties. They taste sour and turn litmus paper red. They react with metals like zinc to give off hydrogen.

Bases in water solutions also show certain properties or characteristics. They taste bitter and and turn litmus paper blue. They also have a slimey or slippery texture to them.

Differences in Acids and Bases in Solutions

Acids	Bases
Tastes sour	Tastes bitter
Turns litmus paper red	Turns litmus paper blue
Reacts with some metals to give off hydrogen gas.	Feels slimey or slippery to the touch.

Acids and bases can also be grouped as inorganic or organic. Below are several charts of some of the acids and bases.

Inorganic and Organic Acids

Inorganic Acids	Organic Acids
Hydrogen Chloride	Citric Acid - found in lemons, times, oranges, pineapples HO2CCH2C(OH)(CO2H)CH2CO2H,
Hydrogen Sulfide - found in decaying animals, volcanic ashes, some mineral water, unrefined fuels,such as crude oil, coal, natural gases. H2S	Carbonic Acid - can be found in carbonated drinks H2CO3
Phosphoric Acid O4	Hydrogen Cyanide HCN,
Sulfuric Acid H2SO4,	Salicylic Acid
	Lactic Acid - found in sour milk, yogurt, cottage cheese CH3CHOHCO2H,
	Tartaric Acid - found in grapes HO2CCHOHCHOHCO2H,

Inorganic and Organic Bases

Inorganic Bases	Organic Bases
Calcium Carbonate - found in calcite, aragonite CaCO3,	Pyridine
Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)2,	Ethalymine
Sodium Bicarbonate - found in baking soda NaHCO3,
Sodium Carbonate - found in seaweed ash Na2CO3,
Sodium Hydroxide

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