Acids and Bases are solutions, and can be found everywhere in the world. They can be found in food, drinks, around the house, and in the environment around you. Acids and Bases are used by people, animals, and even plants for many different purposes (Buthelezi et al. 634). A solution is a homogenous mixture, which is a mixture with a composition that is consistent throughout the substance (Buthelezi et al. 634). Solutions are comprised of the solute and a solvent. The solvent is the most plentiful substance in the solution, and the solute is the substance that is being dissolved. Solutions in which water is the solvent are called aqueous bases, for example acids and bases (299). Solutions can be concentrated or dilute. A solution that
…show more content…
If the solution has more hydrogen ions, it is an acidic solution, and if the solution has more hydroxide ions, it is a base (636). Acids and bases can be strong or weak. Strong acids are able to conduct electricity, and all the HCl molecules in the solution can be ionized completely (644). Weak acids produce fewer ions, and therefore do not conduct electricity well (645). Strong bases can dissociate completely into metal ions and hydroxide ions, while weak bases can only ionize partially (648). This means strong acids and bases are electrolytes. Electrolytes are ionic compounds whose aqueous solutions can conduct electricity …show more content…
For example, descaler is a weak acid that is used to dissolve scale in drains. Scale is a calcium carbonate layer that builds up in drains as tap water flows through them, slowly clogging the pipe, and the acid in descaler is strong enough to dissolve the scale, and weak enough to not damage the pipe itself (Oxlade 32). Another weak acid is vinegar. Before refrigerators were invented, food was kept in vinegar, because the acid would kill the microorganisms that feed on the food (33). Sodium hydroxide, a strong base, is used in oven cleaners because it is very corrosive. It reacts with grease in the oven so that it can be washed away with water. Many soaps and detergents are bases, too (32).Neutralization reactions can also be useful. Farmers often need to treat their soil if it is too basic or acidic so that it has the right pH for their crops. For example, if the soil is too acidic, farmers would mix in calcium oxide, a base, to make the soil habitable for their plants. Neutralization reactions can also be used to treat insect stings. When insects sting a person, their venom is either acidic or basic, and a weak acid or base, depending on the sting, can be used to treat it. For example, wasp stings are basic, therefore they can be treated with a weak acid, such as vinegar. The acid reacts with the base, and the product is neutral (Oxlade 36). Finally, salt, too, is used in everyday life. Sodium chloride, more
If the solution has more hydrogen ions, it is an acidic solution, and if the solution has more hydroxide ions, it is a base (636). Acids and bases can be strong or weak. Strong acids are able to conduct electricity, and all the HCl molecules in the solution can be ionized completely (644). Weak acids produce fewer ions, and therefore do not conduct electricity well (645). Strong bases can dissociate completely into metal ions and hydroxide ions, while weak bases can only ionize partially (648). This means strong acids and bases are electrolytes. Electrolytes are ionic compounds whose aqueous solutions can conduct electricity …show more content…
For example, descaler is a weak acid that is used to dissolve scale in drains. Scale is a calcium carbonate layer that builds up in drains as tap water flows through them, slowly clogging the pipe, and the acid in descaler is strong enough to dissolve the scale, and weak enough to not damage the pipe itself (Oxlade 32). Another weak acid is vinegar. Before refrigerators were invented, food was kept in vinegar, because the acid would kill the microorganisms that feed on the food (33). Sodium hydroxide, a strong base, is used in oven cleaners because it is very corrosive. It reacts with grease in the oven so that it can be washed away with water. Many soaps and detergents are bases, too (32).Neutralization reactions can also be useful. Farmers often need to treat their soil if it is too basic or acidic so that it has the right pH for their crops. For example, if the soil is too acidic, farmers would mix in calcium oxide, a base, to make the soil habitable for their plants. Neutralization reactions can also be used to treat insect stings. When insects sting a person, their venom is either acidic or basic, and a weak acid or base, depending on the sting, can be used to treat it. For example, wasp stings are basic, therefore they can be treated with a weak acid, such as vinegar. The acid reacts with the base, and the product is neutral (Oxlade 36). Finally, salt, too, is used in everyday life. Sodium chloride, more