Chemistry: Properties of Acids and Bases

Properties of Acids and Bases

It's frequently possible to tell acids and bases apart from one another by some of their easily observed chemical and physical properties. A table of these properties is shown here:

Property	Acid	Base
Taste	Sour (vinegar)	Bitter (baking soda)
Smell	Frequently burns nose	Usually no smell (except NH₃!)
Texture	Sticky	Slippery
Reactivity	Frequently react with metals to form H₂	React with many oils and fats

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry © 2003 by Ian Guch. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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See also:

Chemistry: Acids and Bases