Acids
Acids
Acids (/ˈæsɪdz/) are a class of substances that exhibit certain properties when dissolved in water. They are known for their sour taste and the ability to react with bases and certain metals to form salts.
Etymology
The word "acid" comes from the Latin word acidus or acēre, which means sour.
Definition
An acid is a molecule or ion capable of donating a proton (hydrogen ion H+), or, alternatively, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair (a Lewis acid).
Properties
Acids have the following properties:
- They taste sour.
- They turn blue litmus paper red.
- They react with bases to produce salts and water.
- They conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
- They have a pH less than 7.
Types of Acids
There are two main types of acids: Strong Acids and Weak Acids. Strong acids fully ionize in solution, while weak acids only partially ionize.
Strong Acids
Examples of strong acids include Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, and Nitric Acid.
Weak Acids
Examples of weak acids include Acetic Acid, Citric Acid, and Carbonic Acid.
Uses of Acids
Acids have many uses in various fields such as chemistry, biology, medicine, and industry. For example, Hydrochloric Acid is used in the production of chlorides, fertilizers, and dyes, in electroplating, and in the photographic, textile, and rubber industries.
Related Terms
- Base: A substance that can accept a proton (H+) from another substance.
- pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- Salt: A compound resulting from the reaction of an acid with a base.
- Neutralization: A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react to form a salt and water.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acids
- Wikipedia's article - Acids
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