Acids And Bases Essay

Acids and bases are not just in use in a laboratory, they come into play in the every-day, they are important to know, with respect to consumer and food products. PH scale, the potential for hydrogen ion concentration, is important because it pertains to the spectrum of acids and bases. Acids are an H+ donor and bases are a H+ acceptor. We can further identify acids by its sour taste, it turns litmus paper red, and it dissolves metals such as zinc or iron. Bases taste bitter, they turn litmus paper blue, and it has a slippery feeling. The pH scale ranges from one to fourteen, one through six are acids and eight through fourteen are the bases, with seven as a neutral. The acids are considered to have a low pH. whereas the bases or the alkaline

Concerning food products, the most common place acids, lemon juice, and bases, baking soda; can be found in almost every household (Andrews). For example, citrus fruits and vinegar are typically acidic, but when consumes they form alkaline (Andrews). Now food that has high protein have high sulfur amino acids, turning into sulfuric acids, such as dairy, meat, grains, and processed foods (Andrews). And for plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are alkaline forming (Andrews). Along with fats, there are nuts, oils, and seeds which are neutral on the scale (Andrews). When you consider acids and bases in food, look at the ph and how it will affect your

So, to break up the dirt and remove it or to neutralize it, is for the cleaning products to have a basic ph (Dimaano). A common household product with a high alkaline or basic level is bleach, its chemical name is sodium hypochlorite, NaClO. It is corrosive, with the many different derivatives of the salt, which is required to whiten and remove the stain. This compound is either colorless or slightly yellow liquid, it is usually mixed with water (PubChem). It is an irritant on the skin and to eyes (PubChem). Now looking at Clorox bleach in my house, the active ingredient is Sodium Hypochlorite, which is a derivative of salt, meaning that is breaks down into oxidized salt and biodegradables. It also contains sodium chlorate, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, all of which are high on the basic levels. Another cleaning product that is used a lot in my house, is dishwasher pods, specifically Cascade Platinum Action Pacs. The powder ingredients contain many polyatomic chemicals whereas the liquid ingredients contain more dyes to obtain the colors seen in the pacs. The first powder ingredient listed is sodium carbonate, methyl glycine diacetic acid, sodium sulfate, sodium percarbonate. Many of these contain sodium, which is generally seen in more basic compounds, such as dish soap or soap in general. Sodium has corrosive qualities, but in small quantities and mixed with other elements, it is used to