Acid vs Base vs. Normal Salt

Attribute	Acid vs Base	Normal Salt
Taste	Sour (acid) or bitter (base)	Salty
pH level	pH less than 7	pH of 7
Ionization	Acids ionize to release H+ ions	Salt dissociates into ions in solution
Reaction with litmus paper	Turns blue litmus paper red	No effect on litmus paper
Examples	Vinegar (acetic acid), Lemon juice (citric acid), Ammonia (base)	Table salt (sodium chloride), Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)

Introduction

Acids, bases, and salts are three fundamental types of compounds that play crucial roles in chemistry. Each of these substances has unique properties and characteristics that distinguish them from one another. In this article, we will explore the attributes of acids, bases, and normal salts, highlighting their differences and similarities.

Acids

Acids are a class of compounds that release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. They are characterized by their sour taste, ability to turn blue litmus paper red, and their corrosive nature. Acids are commonly found in various household items, such as vinegar (acetic acid) and citrus fruits (citric acid). Some common examples of acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.

• Acids have a pH less than 7.
• Acids react with metals to produce hydrogen gas.
• Acids neutralize bases to form salts and water.
• Strong acids completely dissociate in water, while weak acids only partially dissociate.

Bases

Bases, on the other hand, are compounds that release hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. They have a bitter taste, feel slippery to the touch, and turn red litmus paper blue. Bases are commonly found in cleaning products, such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and ammonia (ammonium hydroxide). Some common examples of bases include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide.

• Bases have a pH greater than 7.
• Bases can accept protons from acids to form water and salts.
• Strong bases completely dissociate in water, while weak bases only partially dissociate.
• Bases are often used in antacids to neutralize excess stomach acid.

Normal Salts

Normal salts are compounds formed from the reaction between an acid and a base. They are composed of positive and negative ions that are held together by ionic bonds. Normal salts are typically crystalline solids that are soluble in water. Common examples of normal salts include sodium chloride (table salt), potassium nitrate, and calcium carbonate.

• Normal salts have a neutral pH of 7.
• Normal salts do not conduct electricity in their solid state, but they do when dissolved in water.
• Normal salts can be formed through a variety of acid-base reactions.
• Normal salts are essential for various biological processes in the body, such as nerve function and muscle contraction.

Comparison

Acids, bases, and normal salts each have distinct properties that set them apart from one another. Acids and bases are opposites in terms of their pH levels, with acids having a pH less than 7 and bases having a pH greater than 7. Acids and bases also react differently with metals and each other, with acids producing hydrogen gas when reacting with metals, and bases neutralizing acids to form salts and water.

Normal salts, on the other hand, are the result of the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. They have a neutral pH of 7 and do not exhibit the corrosive or caustic properties of acids and bases. Normal salts play a crucial role in various chemical processes and are essential for maintaining the body's electrolyte balance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, acids, bases, and normal salts are three distinct types of compounds with unique properties and characteristics. Acids are sour-tasting compounds that release hydrogen ions, bases are bitter-tasting compounds that release hydroxide ions, and normal salts are neutral compounds formed from the reaction between an acid and a base. Understanding the differences between acids, bases, and normal salts is essential for grasping the fundamentals of chemistry and their applications in various industries.