Classifying Substances as Acid or Base: Help Needed!

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In summary, acids are substances that donate hydrogen ions in a chemical reaction, while bases accept hydrogen ions or donate hydroxide ions. The most common way to determine if a substance is an acid or base is by using litmus paper or pH paper. A substance cannot be both an acid and a base, but some substances can act as both depending on the environment. To neutralize an acid or a base, you can add the opposite type of substance to balance out the pH. Common examples of acids include vinegar, lemon juice, and battery acid, while common examples of bases include baking soda, milk of magnesia, and bleach.
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alicezz
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acid or base? please help

hi during a science lab we tesed various unknown substances to classify them as either acid or base.

Some of the indicators that were used was:
bromthymol blue,
blue/red litmus paper,
phenophthalein .

One of the substances was acid according to 2 indicators but it was base according to the other two. Is this substance acid or base?
 
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What was your recorded data for this substance?
 
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Hi, it sounds like you are having some trouble classifying the unknown substance as acid or base. This can happen sometimes, as different indicators can give different results. In order to accurately determine if the substance is an acid or base, it is important to use multiple indicators and compare the results. Based on the information you provided, it seems like the substance could potentially be amphoteric, which means it can act as both an acid and a base depending on the conditions. I would recommend doing some additional tests or consulting with your teacher for further guidance. Good luck!
 

FAQ: Classifying Substances as Acid or Base: Help Needed!

What is the difference between an acid and a base?

An acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions (H+) in a chemical reaction, while a base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions or donates hydroxide ions (OH-).

How do you determine if a substance is an acid or a base?

The most common way to determine if a substance is an acid or a base is by using litmus paper. Acidic substances will turn blue litmus paper red, while basic substances will turn red litmus paper blue. Another method is by using pH paper, which measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. A pH of 0-6 indicates an acidic solution, while a pH of 8-14 indicates a basic solution.

Can a substance be both an acid and a base?

No, a substance can only be classified as an acid or a base. However, some substances can act as both an acid and a base depending on the environment they are in. These substances are called amphoteric substances.

How do you neutralize an acid or a base?

To neutralize an acid, you can add a base to it. Similarly, to neutralize a base, you can add an acid to it. The goal is to balance out the number of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in the solution to reach a neutral pH of 7.

What are some common examples of acids and bases?

Some common examples of acids include vinegar (acetic acid), lemon juice (citric acid), and battery acid (sulfuric acid). Some common examples of bases include baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), and bleach (sodium hypochlorite).

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