The ABCs Acid-Base Chemistry

As these descriptive names suggest, acids were originally distinguished by their sharp, sour taste. Not only are they sour, but they were found to be corrosive to metals. Similar to rusting, acids oxidize metals. They were then found to react with lichen plants and caused litmus paper to change color. 

Consider the expression every reaction has an equal and opposite reaction. Consider acids and bases are each equal and opposite to each other when you add together an acid and a base, they cancel each other out, and in that respect they are opposite to each other. 

The terms alkaline and base are often used interchangeably, because they mean the same thing. 

In this chapter, we explain how the scientific understanding of acids and bases has changed through time. We start by explaining how to measure their strengths using the pH scale. We also explain the multiple theories of acid-base chemistry, from Lavoisier s first attempt to classify these materials, to the modern understanding of Lewis acids and bases. 

In simplest terms, acids are ionic compounds that form hydrogen ions (e.g. HCl forms into H and Ch) when dissolved in water they have a characteristic sour taste and are corrosive. In contrast, non-acids are basic. They form negatively charged hydroxide ions (for example, NaOH forms into Na and OH ) when dissolved in water, and they are quite slippery to the feel. Bases are usually less sour tasting than acids (they tend to taste bitter), but they can be as corrosive as acids. 

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Davenport HA. The ABC of Acid-Base Chemistry, 5th ed. Chicago University of Chicago Press, 1971. 

Davenport, H. W. (1974) The ABC of acid-base chemistry, 6th edn. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. 

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