Acids & Alkali

Acids

• Taste: Sour.
• Touch: Like water.
• Tested with litmus paper: Turn blue litmus red.
• pH value: From 0 to less than 7.
• Reaction with metals: Form hydrogen and a salt.
• Reaction with carbonates: Form a salt, water and carbon dioxide.
• Reaction with ammonium compounds: No reaction.

Alkalis

• Taste: Bitter.
• Touch: Soapy.
• Tested with litmus paper: Turn red litmus blue.
• pH value: From above 7 to 14.
• Reaction with metals: No reaction.
• Reaction with carbonates: No reaction.
• Reaction with ammonium compounds: Give off ammonia gas.

Note: Strong acids and alkalis are corrosive and dangerous.