An acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions.

Things unique to bases

Because of this, when an acid is dissolved in water, the
Bases feel slippery and soapy because they hydrolyze
balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is
the fatty acid ester of the skin (saponification reaction).
shifted. Now there are more hydrogen ions than
hydroxide ions in the solution. This kind of solution is
acidic.
Examples of common things which are bases
A base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions.
When a base is dissolved in water, the balance between  Hand soap
hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions shifts the opposite  Lye
way.  Baking soda
 Bleach
Contrasting properties of acids and bases  Spinach
 Window cleaner
Here is a list which contrasts their properties:  Wasp's sting

 Acids turn blue litmus paper red. Bases turn red

litmus paper blue.
 Acids give off H+ (Hydrogen) ions in water; bases
give off OH- (Hydroxide) ions in water.
 Acids generally taste sour due to the sour H+ ion;
bases taste bitter due to the OH- ion; but they may
have other tastes depending on the other part of the
molecule.
 Bases are usually soapy in nature .
 Acids corrode active metals ; Bases denature
protein
 Acids have a pH less than 7 ; Bases have a pH
greater than 7

Similar properties of acids and bases

Here is a list of properties that are common to both acids
and bases

 When you dissolve an acid or base in water, it

makes ions. This makes the water conduct
electricity better.
 The stronger the acid (or base), the more ions are
produced, so the conductivity of the solution
increases.
 They can both conduct electricity.
 When an acid reacts with a base, a salt is formed
 they both can carry and share ions

Examples of common things which are acidic

 Milk (as it contains lactic acid)

 Lemon juice
 Stomach acids
 Apple juice
 Vinegar
 Water and soft drinks (Carbon dioxide reacts in
water to form carbonic acid)
 Oranges
 Pineapples
 Mango