Science
What is Acids and bases?
Acids and bases are two opposite classes of chemicals. Acids release hydrogen ions and taste sour (like lemon); bases accept them and feel slippery (like soap). The pH scale measures how acidic or basic something is.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains acids and bases.
Key things to understand
- 1Acids donate hydrogen ions (H⁺); bases accept them.
- 2The pH scale runs 0 (strongly acidic) to 14 (strongly basic); 7 is neutral.
- 3Acids and bases react to neutralize each other, forming a salt and water.
- 4Examples: stomach acid, vinegar (acids); soap, baking soda (bases).
Frequently asked questions
- What is pH?
- A 0–14 scale measuring acidity: below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic.
- What happens when an acid meets a base?
- They neutralize each other, producing a salt and water.
- What are common acids and bases?
- Acids: vinegar, citrus, stomach acid. Bases: soap, baking soda, ammonia.