Page 347 - ABCTE Study Guide_Neat

An acidic solution contains more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions; a basic solution contains more
hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. This ratio depends on the composition of the dissolved substance and
how it interacts with water.

There are many different compounds that form acidic or basic solutions. Common acids include foods,
such as orange juice and vinegar, as well acids that are dangerous to handle, such as the solution in
automobile batteries. Common bases include antacid tablets that settle your stomach and drain cleaner
that can dissolve clogs in sewer pipes.

General properties of acids include:

• sharp or sour taste
• electrical conductivity
• reactions with many metals
• turning litmus paper red
• reacting with bases to form a salt and water

General properties of bases include:

• bitter taste
• electrical conductivity
• dissolving many organic materials, such as grease
• tending not to react with metals
• feeling slippery on skin
• turning litmus paper blue
• reacting with acids to form a salt and water

Notice that the final property listed for acids and bases is that they react with one another to form a salt
and water. This process is known as neutralization.

Acids and bases vary in strength. Very strong acids, such as
concentrated sulfuric acid in batteries, and very strong bases, such as
the sodium hydroxide in drain cleaner, are dangerous substances. Both
strong bases and concentrated acids dissociate violently in water with
considerable spattering and releasing of large quantities of heat. They
also react strongly with body tissues and can cause severe "burns" and
even death. On the other hand, weak acids, such as water, and weak
bases, such as blood, are essential for life.

The relative strength of acids and bases is measured on a scale known
as the pH scale. Solutions with very low pH values, such as 1 or 2 are
considered strong acids, while solutions with a pH value of 5 or 6 are
weak acids. Strong bases have high pH values, such as 13 or 14, while
weak bases are solutions whose pH is in the 8 to 9 range.

Question

An aqueous solution has a pH value of 6. This solution is classified as a