Acids, Bases, pH, pOH, etc.

Acids and Bases

In this lesson, we learned about the definitions of acids and bases. The definitions of acids and bases are determined separately by two very different theories. The Arrhenius theory states that the acids have a low pH and that bases have a high pH on the pH scale. It states that acids have a high hydrogen concentration, whereas bases have a high hydroxide concentration. We also learned that if you add water to a base or acid, the pH of the solution will head to be neutral (7). If a substance has a neutral pH, like water, then the substance also has a neutral pOH (measures hydroxide). We also learned a formula chain that helps us find the pH, pOH, hydrogen and hydroxide concentrations of a substance or a solution. The formula chain is shown below. 

This formula chain can help us find the concentration or pH and pOH of a substance. 

We also learned that acids are sour, react best with metals, and they are slimy. Bases are not as slimy, bitter, and do not react with metals. The more acidic a solution is, the better it is at conducting electricity.