Acids, bases, and salts are important concepts in chemistry.
Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water. They have a sour taste and turn litmus paper red. Strong acids have a high concentration of hydrogen ions, while weak acids have a lower concentration. Examples of common acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and acetic acid (CH3COOH).
Bases are substances that release hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water. They have a bitter taste and turn litmus paper blue. Strong bases have a high concentration of hydroxide ions, while weak bases have a lower concentration. Examples of common bases include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).
Salts are ionic compounds that are formed when an acid reacts with a base. The hydrogen ion from the acid reacts with the hydroxide ion from the base to form water, leaving behind a salt. Examples of salts include sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium sulfate (CaSO4), and potassium nitrate (KNO3).
In aqueous solutions, acids and bases can react to reach a neutral pH of 7. This reaction is called neutralization.