ACIDS AND BASES (Alkaline)

METHODS ON IDENTIFYING IF A MIXTURE

IS ACIDIC OR A BASIC
1. Indicator – a dye that changes into a different
color.
Ex. Litmus paper (from a lichen plant)
Litmus Paper Test
blue litmus paper turns RED
o use to test an acid, Has great concentration of
H+ions
red litmus paper turns BLUE
o use to test a base, Has great concentration of OH-
ions
2. pH scale – numbers from 0 to 14. 0 being the
most acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 is the most basic.
Proposed by a Danish biochemist S.P.L. Sorensen
* pH means power of hydrogen
pH Scale

N
E
U
T
R
A
l

<--------ACID--------> <----------BASE---------->
INDICATOR pH Scale
ACID Red Less than 7
BASE Blue Greater than 7
 Sample of Matter pH
Gastric juice 1.6 -1.8
Lemon juice 2.1
Vinegar (4%) 2.5
Softdrinks 2.0 – 4.0
Urine 5.5 – 7.0
Rainwater (unpolluted) 5.6
Milk 6.3 – 6.6
Saliva 6.2 – 7.4
Pure water 7.0
Blood 7.4
Fresh egg white 7.6 – 8.0
Seawater 8.4
Laundry detergents 11
Household bleach 12.8
Drain cleaner 13.0
PROPERTIES OF

ACID BASE
 Tastes sour  Tastes bitter
 Ability to change blue litmus  Slippery in nature

paper red  Ability to change red litmus

 React with bases to form paper blue

salt and water  React with acids to form salt

 Releases hydroxide ions in  Releases hydroxide ions in

water solutions water solutions.

 Has a pH less than 7  Has a pH greater than 7

When acid and base are equal and we

combine these together, there is a formation of
SALT and well call it NEUTRAL.
 IMPORTANCE OF pH
 pH and the Human body.
 In Food Processing and Fruit Reservation.
 Control of pH in soil.
 pH of rainwater.
 Maintaining pH of Personal Care Products.
PROCESS OF NEUTRALIZATION USES:
 Treating indigestion
 Using toothpaste to avoid tooth decay
 Treating soil
 Treating factory waste