what are the characteristic of an acid?

Answer 1

Acids have H+ ions

Answer 2

To understand acids and their characteristics you must also understand basic chemistry and the PH scale (hydrogen potential):

I. Acids

*Acids are ionic compounds ( a compound with a positive or negative charge) that break apart in water to form a hydrogen ion (H+).

*The strength of an acid is based on the concentration of H+ ions in the solution. The more H+ the stronger the acid.
Example: HCl (Hydrochloric acid) in water

Characteristics of Acids:
**Acids taste sour
**Acids react strongly with metals (Zn + HCl)
**Strong Acids are dangerous and can burn your skin

Examples of Acids:
1. Vinegar (acetic acid)
2. Citrus Fruits (citric acid)
3. Stomach Acid (hydrochloric acid)
4. Sulfuric Acid (used in lead-acid batteries such as a car battery)


II. Bases (also called Alkalines)

*Bases are ionic compounds that break apart to form a negatively charged hydroxide ion (OH-) in water.

*The strength of a base is determined by the concentration of Hydroxide ions (OH-). The greater the concentration of OH- ions the stronger the base.

Example: NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide-a strong base) in water

Characteristics of Bases:
**Bases taste bitter
**Bases feel slippery
**Strong bases are very dangerous and can burn your skin

Examples:
1. lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
2. Ammonia


III. Neutralization Reactions

When acids and bases are added to each other they react to neutralize each other if an equal number of hydrogen and hydroxide ions are present. When this reaction occurs -salt and water are formed. The PH of the particular compunds determines how forceful and vigorous the reaction will be.

IV. pH Scale and Indicators

The strength of an acid or base in a solution is measured on a scale called a pH scale. The pH scale is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration. It spans from 0 to 14 with the middle point (pH 7) being neutral (neither acidic or basic).
Any pH number greater than 7 is considered a base and any pH number less than 7 is considered an acid.

0 is the strongest acid and 14 is the strongest base.

If you add a slution with a PH of 14 to a solution with a PH of 0, the force of the sheer numbers of positive and negative ions working to neutralize each other at the same moment will cause an extremely violent and instantaneous reaction. This would be extremely dangerous so do not try it outside a controlled environment. I include that here only to illustrate the reason for the reaction. It is the negatively charged ions being drawn to the positively charged ions in order to form a balance (neutrality) that causes the reaction. Acids 'steal' negative ions from whatever subject it is introduced to, therefore destroying the integrity of the subjects structure. The stronger the acid, the quicker and more severe this destruction. The opposite is true with strong bases. The checmistry and physics involved are simple - all things in nature strive to acheive a balance, equilibrium. A PH of 7.

I hope I helped you answer your question without creating more questions.

Answer 3

Acids are sour to taste.
Acids have pungent smell.
Acids turn blue litmus to red.

Answer 4

Turns red litmus blue.
Has a ph 1-6

Answer 5

It has a pH of less than 7