Use complete sentences to differentiate between acids and bases on the basis of touch. Give an example of each type.

There are several theories to explain the difference between an acid and a base. One of the most complete theories is Lewis's theory, because it encompasses several compounds that other theories do not include. According to Lewis's theory, an acid is a substance capable of accepting a pair of electrons. And Lewis bases are substances that have the ability to donate a pair of electrons.

An example of an Lewis acid-base reaction is ammonia and boron trifluoride:

BF3 (is the acid) + NH3 (is the base) → H3N - BF3

Some differences of acids and bases to the touch are:

• Acids are sour in taste while Bases are bitter in taste. This is due to the pH that indicates acidity or basicity, and is defined as the hydrogen potential of a solution. The pH indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in a substance. Substances with pH less than 7 are considered acidic, while substances with a pH greater than 7 are considered as bases (alkaline).

• Acids are highly corrosive, and can cause chemical burns to the skin, or respiratory damage when inhaling their gases. An example is sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which can corrode steel. The bases instead have a feeling of soap or slippery to the touch.

• Acids react with metals to produce compound and hydrogen gas while bases do not react with metals. For example, copper is attacked by nitric acid by reaction:

Cu(s) + 4HNO3(aq) ⇒ Cu(NO3)2(aq)  +  2NO2(g)  + 2H2O(l)

• Acids turn blue litmus paper into red whereas in case of Bases they turn red litmus paper into blue.

• The bases are irritating to the skin, as they dissolve the skin fat, and can destroy organic matter by its caustic effect. An example is Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

• Acid and bases are good conductors of electricity in aqueous solutions.

Explanation:

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