Properties of Acids and Bases
Here are some of the properties that are characteristic of all acids and bases, including the properties that both acids and bases share.
Acids
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Bases
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Uses of Acids and Bases
Because of their properties, acids and bases have many different uses in many facets of daily life. Here are some examples of acids and bases you might come across in daily life
Acids
Cleaning- many stronger acids are used for household and industrial cleaning purposes because of their corrosive abilities An example of hydrochloric acid used for household cleaning (this one is specifically for cleaning patios)
Food- acids can commonly be found in foods, including citrus juice and black coffee. One of the most common acidic foods is vinegar. Vinegar is dilute acetic acid that is mostly used in cooking, but also has a variety of other purposes
Vinegar used for cooking
Also, combining vinegar with baking soda (a base) creates CO2 and fizzes, which is always fun
In the human body-gastric acid is a very strong acid in the stomach that helps break down proteins for digestion as well as to kill bacteria. Lactic acid is produced in the body when muscles are exerted.
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Bases
Cleaning- the corrosive abilities of bases are also utilized in alkaline cleaning products such as bleach and window cleaner, many brands of which contain the basic ammonium hydroxide. Bases such as magnesium hydroxide are also used in antipersperants
An alkaline drain opener
Food- bases in foods are less common than acids (possibly due to their bitter taste), but there are some basic foods including baking soda
Baking soda is commonly used in baking but is also used in household cleaning and deodorizing
Antacids- antacids are basic substances used to neutralize pain-causing acidity in stomachs
Tums are a common antacid made of calcium carbonate with added sugar for taste
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