Question

Define an acid and a base. Give two examples of each.

Answer 1

Acids: Substances that ionise on dissolving in water producing hydrogen ions (H⁺ions) are called acids. Acids are sour in taste and they turn blue litmus to red.
Examples: Hydrochloric acid, HCl, and sulphuric acid, H₂SO₄.
Bases: Substances that ionise on dissolving in water producing hydroxide ions (OH^- ions) are called bases. Bases are bitter in taste, slippery to touch and they turn red litmus to blue.
Examples: Magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂, and sodium hydroxide, NaOH.