Chemistry is all about chemicals categorized with acids and bases and we need to be very careful when experimenting with them.Acid is a substance that ionizes to produce hydronium ions when mixed in a solution. There are a lot of definitions of acid with respect to different properties and here we will learn more about them.Acids and bases are two chemicals special in every aspect. All liquids in some parts are acids or bases at least to some degree. The type of ions present determines whether a liquid is an acid or a base. If the liquid has a lot of hydrogen ions, then it is said to be an acid. And if the liquid has a lot of hydroxide ions, the liquid is said to be a base. Scientists use a method of pH scale to check the acidic or basic nature of a liquid. Acids with a lower pH number like one are dangerous and very reactive. Bases near the pH level of 13 are equally dangerous. However, laboratories use strong chemicals to get their desired result. Even if those are dangerous, these chemicals can be helpful for us. Let’s learn more facts about acids, their uses, and the dangers that we need to worry about.Facts About AcidHere are some facts about acids that everyone should learn.A pH is a number starting from zero and going up to 14. Numbers from zero to seven are acids where zero is the strongest acid.Numbers from 8-14 are bases, where 14 is the strongest base. If a liquid has a pH level of seven, it is called to be neutral. An example of this is distilled water.Acids are present everywhere from poisons secreted by animals and insects to leaves, saps, fruits, or seeds.There are citrus fruits, like lemon and orange, that contain citrus acid. Lemon juice tastes sour for this very reason.Apart from the strong acid in our stomach, human bodies are known to produce lactic acid while exercising.A human body has many acidic compounds in it for the smooth working of day-to-day life.Acids and bases actually neutralize each other.If you want to check a compound if it is acidic or basic in nature, litmus paper can be used. Acids turn the paper red while bases turn it blue.You might have noticed statues having some pock-marks. This is caused by acids in rainwater which attack the stone.Rainwater is slightly acidic in nature as CO2 in the acid dissolves in the rainwater to form carbonic acid.Industries also give out pollutants which are then mixed with water forming strong acids that destroy the stone, especially limestone.Remember this when you are in a chemistry laboratory working with acids of your own. Stronger acids are very dangerous and should never be handled without the help of an adult.Even when mixed with a solution, these acids retain their properties and can have harmful effects.While strong acids lose most of their ions, weak acids hold onto some of their ions.Uses Of AcidsHere are some of the uses of acids in day-to-day life.Our bodies use acid naturally. Hydrochloric acid is present in our stomach that helps in the digestion of food.Hydrochloric acid also kills bacteria and keeps us from getting sick.Sulfuric acid is used in car batteries. This strong acid makes chemical reactions with the lead plates in the battery to produce electricity to start the car.Acids are also used in many household items, cleaning products, crop fertilizers, and baking soda.Acids even help in conducting electricity.Soda water is actually a carbonated drink in which CO2 is dissolved in water to form the weak acid called carbonic acid.Vitamin C is actually an acid known as ascorbic acid.Acid can be used during electrolysis because it has moveable ions.Different Types Of AcidsThere are many types of acids. Here we discuss some of them.Acids actually taste sour while bases taste bitter. That is why all citrus fruits are sour in taste.The more hydrogen ions an acid contains, the stronger the acid is. This is useful to know while performing many experiments.Nucleic acid contains the genetic code of all living things (DNA and RNA).These are passed down from parents to offspring. DNA contains the structure which tells the body how to build proteins. Proteins are actually made of amino acids.Fatty acids in our body help to make energy, which in turn fuels the body.Some acids found in nature are - vinegar (used in food), nitric acid (used in explosives and rocket fuel), citric acid (found in fruits), lactic acid (found in milk products that are sour, like yogurt), and sulfuric acid (dissolves in water and melts weak substances).Dangers Of AcidsAcids are dangerous and harmful in many aspects. It is important to know about the dangers of acids.The fumes of some stronger acids can be very dangerous while working in a laboratory. Remember to take adequate precautions to stay safe.Sometimes a solution might seem harmless, colorless, or odorless.But if acids are mixed in them, they can be the opposite and harm you. Acids can sting or burn your skin if touched. Chemical burns need to be treated right away.Acids corrode metals and skin with ease. This is particularly seen if you have ever noticed an acid rain event.Acid rain is one of the more dangerous forms of acid. The acid in acid rain can destroy the paint on a car. However, the acidity of it is not strong enough to melt the car.Acid rain is measured using the pH scale.Acid rain also changes the acidity of the soil which destroys the soil and doesn’t let any trees or plant life growing in it.Whatever plants stay in the soil soon die. Acid rain pollutes water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, and changes the pH value to an acidic one.This makes the water toxic to all forms of life in the water.
Chemistry is all about chemicals categorized with acids and bases and we need to be very careful when experimenting with them.
