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Answers to Readers' Questions on Chemistry:
Acids
The following 61 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Difference between acids and bases?
- Why do indigestion tablets contain a base?
- Formula for certain acids
- What is the chemical formula of litmus paper?
- Uses of acids and bases in everyday life
- Can carbonic acid be formed in a soft drink?
- Which acid has no hydrogen?
- What about using acid to protect yourself?
- Vinegar effect on red cabbage
- Science project on acids
Difference between acids and bases?
Question
May 24, 2009
Could you please give me the difference between acids and bases?
Saptarshi - India
17791
Answer
The chemical formula of an acid usually starts with H. Acids taste sour, are corrosive to metals, change litmus paper red, and often create a salt when mixed with a base.
The chemical formula of a base usually end with OH. Bases feel slippery, change litmus paper blue, and often create a salt when mixed with an acid.
Why do indigestion tablets contain a base?
Question
January 8, 2008
Q1. Nettle stings contain methanoic acid. suggest something you could use to neutralize them.
Q2. Indigestion tablets contain base. why?
Shahid - Pakistan
15065
Answer
A base will neutralize an acid, such as excess stomach acid.
Formula for certain acids
Question
August 11, 2007
Hi
i would like to know formulas for following organic acids
oxalic acid...h2c2o4
lactic acid.....?
tartaric acid...?
citric acid...?
regards,
kiran - India
14184
Answer
Oxalic acid is HO2CCO2H
Lactic acid is C3H6O3
Tartaric acid is C4H6O6
Citric acid is C6H8O7
What is the chemical formula of litmus paper?
Question
April 7, 2007
hello there,
whats the chemical formula of litmus paper? (both red & blue)
when HCL gas comes into contact with blue litmus paper, what is the chemical reaction that occurs causing the blue litmus paper to turn red? (the formula)
i've been searching the net and askin around but no one seems to know the answer, hopefully you could help me =)
thanks!
tan - Singapore
13502
Answer
The ability of litmus paper to change color when exposed to an acid or base is a result of it being infused with lichens, which are combination of two distinct organisms, a fungus and an alga, living as one.
Unfortunately, since a lichen is an organism, there is no simple chemical formula for it.
Uses of acids and bases in everyday life
Question
February 14, 2007
It would be helpful if there was a section that showed where humans use acids and bases in everyday life, im doing a science fair/essay on this and i kno where and what we use acids and bases for but i must show my sources and it cant be from my head. THANK YOU for your time and you help....bye
Lisa - USA
13153
Answer
Certain foods, like fruits and citrus products, have a lot of acid in them. Soft drinks are fairly acidic. On the other hand, foods like milk, bread, and rice are more alkaline.
People also use acids, such as vinegar, for uses around the house. Bases include baking soda and soaps.
Can carbonic acid be formed in a soft drink?
Question
November 18, 2006
Can carbonic acid be formed in a carbonated soft drink?
Doreen - United Kingdom
12423
Answer
Carbonated drinks have a small amount of carbonic acid in them. Releasing the pressure on a bottle or car causes the acid to convert to CO2 bubbles.
Which acid has no hydrogen?
Question
November 9, 2006
need help please. which acid has no hydrogen? i thought it was ascorbic acid but got it wrong.
linda - USA
12361
Answer
Acetylsalicylic (aspirin) has hydrogen, but not in the common acid structure. Its formula is C8H7O2COOH.
Ions of various metals act as acids and are often listed among acids. The Aluminum ion Al3+ is an example.
Your teacher probably has some obscure example in mind, though.
What about using acid to protect yourself?
Question
June 27, 2006
I thinking of using acid as chemical deturant in a high crime area of my city, and I was wondering about the legal ramifactions (Ohio)
Steven - USA
11408
Answer
One major problem is that the criminal would not know you had acid until you used it. Thus, it would not be much of a deterrent and would actually cause much trouble for you. There would be no sympathy for using acid, as there might be in using an unauthorized firearm to protect yourself.
Being very cautious is the best route to take when in a high crime area. Don't show wealth or weakness that might cause you to be robbed. See our section on Security for ideas how to cope with crime:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/security.htm
Vinegar effect on red cabbage
Question
April 26, 2006
im doing a science experiment. " what strength vinegar causes an effect on red cabbage?".
im not 100% what im looking for, i think its the PH level.
have you ever done something similar
or can you give me some tips on ways to help improve it. Cause i have cups filled withe different levels of water and vinegar, with a piece of red cabbage in it.
bec - Australia
10961
Answer
The strength of the vinegar is really the measurement of its pH or how acidic it is. Red cabbage is often used as a pH indicator, since it changes colors in acids. If you dilute the vinegar, its acidity becomes weaker.
With such an experiment, it might be good to get some pH paper strips from a garden shop or even a drug store. Then you can compare the results.
Science project on acids
Question
April 17, 2006
I am from malta and we are making a science project on acids. I have a question to ask and hope you will reply. Acids are every types of liquids??
Maria - Malta, Gozo
10864
Answer
Some liquids are acidic, some are alkaline or base, and some--like water--are neutral. You can tell how acidic or how powerful an acid is with something like litmus paper. There are experiments using red cabbage to tell how acidic a liquid is.
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