Chemistry is an inevitable part of human life. Chemistry is involved in everything, including the food we eat, the medicines we take, the cleaning products we use, the air we breathe. Acids, Bases, and SaltsAre among the most significant of the endless sea of chemical compounds that constitute everyday living.
Have you ever wonder why lemons come sour, or soap feels slippery Have you ever wondered why vinegar burns acutely when it comes into contact with an open wound? These common experiences relate to the properties of acids & bases.
Acids, bases, and salts are extensively used in various fields including food preservation, agriculture, construction, and medicine. Knowing their characteristics, reactions and uses helps comprehend their significance in science & everyday life.
By the end you will have a comprehensive grasp of these core chemical compounds & their real-world uses.
An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H⁺) in water. Acids taste sour, are corrosive, and react with metals and bases because of the presence of H⁺ ions. Acids are marked by a pH under 7 & would alter blue litmus paper red.
Plants and animals contain organic acids. They are relatively weak & less corrosive than mineral acids. Common organic acids include:
Citric Acid (C₆H₈O₇):
Commonly found in lemons, oranges & other citrus fruits.
Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH):
The main component of vinegar.
Lactic Acid (C₃H₆O₃):
Source: Sour milk & yogurt during vigorous exercise
Oxalic Acid (C₂H₂O₄):
Found in spinach, rhubarb & beets.
Tartaric Acid (C₄H₆O₆):
Found in tamarind & grapes.
Mineral acids are those which are strong and they are used in factories and laboratories. Some common examples include:
Bases are substances that release hydroxide ions (OH⁻) into water. They neutralize acids, taste bitter, and feel slippery (like soap). Bases will make red litmus paper turn blue & have a pH value greater than 7.
Strong bases are very reactive and dissociate completely in water. Examples include:
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): Used in soap-making & drain cleaners.
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH): Used in fertilizers and batteries.
Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂): Used in cement & neutralizing acidic soil.
Weak bases also partially dissociate in water and are less reactive. Examples include:
Ammonia (NH₃): Used in household cleaners & fertilizers.
Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂): Used in antacids.
Aluminum Hydroxide (Al(OH)₃): Used in deodorants.
Salts are Ionic compounds which are formed from the reaction of acid & base in neutralization. The positive ion (cation) is due to the base, and the negative ion (anion) is due to the acid.
Normal Salts – when all the acidic hydrogen are replaced.
Sodium Chloride (NaCl): Common table salt.
Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃): Used in fertilizers.
Acidic Salts – Contain replaceable hydrogen atoms.
Sodium Bisulfate (NaHSO₄): Used in industrial cleaning.
Basic Salts – Contain hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
Zinc Hydroxychloride (ZnOHCl): Used in medicine.
So the pH scale simply scales the acid or base status of substances:
Litmus Paper:
Red in acid
Blue in base
Phenolphthalein:
Colorless in acid
Pink in base
Methyl Orange:
Red in acid
Yellow in base
Acids and bases play an important role in biological processes too as they help maintain the pH level of the body & help in metabolic processes.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) in the Stomach:
Assist with digestion & disassemble food
HOW DOES IT WORKS Kills bad bacteria in the stomach.
Key to high acidity required for enzyme function.
Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate Buffer System:
Keeps blood pH around 7.4.
Helps regulate the pH and prevents acidosis (low pH) and alkalosis (high pH).
Carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) & bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) regulate pH.
Amino Acids and Protein Structure:
Proteins are strings of molecules called amino acids, which contain both acidic (-COOH) & basic (-NH₂) groups.
Graph showing the influence of body pH on protein folding & enzymatic activity.
Salts in the Human Body:
It is used in conjunction with sodium chloride (NaCl).
Potassium chloride (KCl) is responsible for regulating nerve function.
Bone & teeth are strengthened by calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂.
Many food processing and preservation methods depend on different acids, bases, and salts.
Acids in Food:
Citric Acid (C₆H₈O₇) – Used in soft drinks, jams, and candies.
Acetic Acid (CH₃COOH) – Preserves pickles and adds flavor.
Tartaric Acid (C₄H₆O₆) – Used in baking powder.
Bases in Food:
Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) – Baking soda, used for fluffy cakes.
Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) – Used in tortillas to make corn digestible.
Salts in Food:
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG, C₅H₈NO₄Na) – Enhances food flavor.
Sodium Benzoate (C₆H₅COONa) – Preservative in soft drinks & sauces.
Sulfuric Acid (H₂SO₄):
Used in petroleum refining, fertilizers, and battery production.
Key component in making detergents & dyes.
Nitric Acid (HNO₃):
Used in making explosives (TNT, dynamite).
Helps in etching metals for electronics.
Phosphoric Acid (H₃PO₄):
Used in fertilizers to increase crop yield.
Added to soft drinks to enhance taste.
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH):
Used in soap-making & paper production.
Helps in textile processing to soften fabric.
Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH):
Used in fertilizers to supply nitrogen to plants.
Found in household cleaners & disinfectants.
Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃) – Washing Soda:
Used in glass manufacturing.
Removes stains & grease from fabrics.
Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂):
As a de-icing agent on roadways.
Assistance to preservation of packaged food.
Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃):
Used in explosives and fireworks.
Translated from shit: fertilizer.
From burning fossil fuels that emit sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ).
Those gases combine with water to make sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) & nitric acid (HNO₃).
Cause harm to crops, forests, aquatic life, and buildings.
Industrial waste with high pH (strong bases such as NaOH, KOH) can damage aquatic ecosystems.
Soil fertility & plant growth get affected.
When KNO₃, NaCl are anabolic exaggerated the soil salinity.
This decreases water absorption in plants & ultimately decreases crop yield.
What are their solutions: Crop rotation, proper irrigation, and soil testing.
Antacids (Bases Neutralizing Acids in the Stomach)
Magnesium Hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia): Treats acid reflux.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda): For relief of indigestion.
Acidic Medications
Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin): Anti-inflammatory effects & Analgesic.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): Immune booster.
Salts in Medicine
Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): This helps to avoid dehydration.
Sodium Fluoride (NaF): Actively Used in Toothpaste to Help Combat Cavities
An acid-base or neutralization reaction is when an acid and a base react to produce salt & water.
Antacid for Heartburn:
HCl (stomach acid) + Mg(OH)₂ (antacid) → MgCl₂ + H₂O
It helps in relieving acidity & Indigestion.
Lime (Ca(OH)₂) in Agriculture:
Neutralizes acidic soil to improve fertility.
Baking Soda in Cooking:
Acid (vinegar) + Base (baking soda) → Carbon dioxide gas (used in baking).
Soap Production (Saponification):
Fat + NaOH (base) → Soap + Glycerol.
pH is crucial in various fields: