Textbook Question
Indicate whether each of the following statements is characteristic of an acid, a base, or both
d. is named barium hydroxide
Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives11
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy54
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements51
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions41
- Ch.8 Gases29
- Ch.9 Solutions51
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium65
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons78
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones83
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides90
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis83
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production67
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 10, Problem 1a
Indicate whether each of the following statements is characteristic of an acid, a base, or both
a. has a sour taste
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Recall the general properties of acids and bases. Acids typically have a sour taste, while bases are often bitter and slippery to the touch.
Step 2: Understand that the sour taste is a characteristic property of acids. This is due to the presence of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in aqueous solutions, which interact with taste receptors.
Step 3: Note that bases do not have a sour taste; instead, they are associated with a bitter taste and a slippery feel due to hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
Step 4: Conclude that the statement 'has a sour taste' is characteristic of acids only, not bases or both.
Step 5: If needed, remember examples of acids like lemon juice (citric acid) or vinegar (acetic acid) to reinforce the concept of sour taste being linked to acids.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Acids
Acids are substances that can donate protons (H+) in a chemical reaction. They typically have a sour taste, which is a common characteristic of many acidic substances, such as citric acid found in lemons. Acids can also turn blue litmus paper red and react with bases to form salts and water.
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Bases
Bases are substances that can accept protons or donate hydroxide ions (OH-) in a chemical reaction. They usually have a bitter taste and a slippery feel. Bases can turn red litmus paper blue and react with acids to neutralize them, forming salts and water.
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pH Scale
The pH scale is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, while a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, as seen in pure water. Understanding the pH scale helps in identifying whether a substance is an acid, a base, or neutral.
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