What is the difference between an acid and a base?

An acid when dissolved in a liquid, will produce hydrogen ions (H+) while a base will produce hydroxide ions (OH-). When a litmus paper is used to test acids and bases, acids turn the litmus paper red while bases turn the litmus paper blue. On the pH scale (1-14), acids have pH less than 7 while bases have pH greater than seven.

LS

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the trend in reactivity of Group 2 elements with halogens as the group is descended?


State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energy across Period 3


The enthalpy of combustion of ethanol is −1371 kJ mol−1 . The density of ethanol is 0.789 g cm−3 . Calculate the heat energy released in kJ when 1 dm3 of ethanol is burned.


Proteins are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide essential amino acids. (a) State what is meant by an essential amino acid.