1. Acids and Bases: a type of Inorganic Compound
VTT 200 Chemistry
Acids and Bases: a type of Inorganic Compound

2. Acids
Contain one or more free Hydrogen Ions noted as H+ (hydrogen atoms that have lost their electron and are positively charged)
Taste sour, conduct electricity and will react with metal elements to produce hydrogen gas
The more H+ ions, the stronger the acid
Weak acids are acetic acid (vinegar) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Strong acids are sulfuric (in your car battery); and hydrochloric (stomach acid)

3. Alkaline Bases
Contain one or more hydroxide (-OH) ions, this is one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom
Oxygen always forms two bonds, but with only one hydrogen atom, the resultant net charge is -1 meaning the ion is free floating and negatively charged
The more hydroxide ions, the stronger the base
Alkaline bases taste bitter, feel slippery, can dissolve oils and fats (thus their use as a grease cutter)
Weak bases are Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia) and hydrogen peroxide.
Strong bases are Sodium hydroxide (lye used to sterilize clothes)

4. Measuring Acids and Bases
Use of a pH (per Hydrogen) scale
Has a range from 1-14
Acids are on the lower end of the scale
Alkaline substances (bases) are on the higher end of the scale
Neutral, de-ionized water is exactly in the middle at 7
The stronger the acid, the lower the pH #
The stronger the base, the higher the pH #

5. Acids and Bases
Many substances found in the body are acidic or basic properties
Omnivorous Mammalian blood is roughly 7.4 on the pH scale
Carnivorous blood (cats) tends to run slightly more acidic (7.2) than omnivorous blood—
Herbivorous blood (cattle) tends to run slightly more alkaline (7.6) than omnivorous blood
Urine is normally acidic between 5.8 and 6.2 on the pH scale
Gastric acids are very strong and low on the pH scale between (see your handout for other substances)