Uses of Acids and Bases

Acids and bases are fundamental categories of chemical compounds that exhibit distinct properties and behaviors. Understanding their nature is essential in chemistry as they play crucial roles in various chemical reactions and processes. 

In this article, we will learn about acids and bases along with their uses in our day-to-day lives.

What are Acids and Bases?

Acids and bases are compounds that occur naturally and can also be created artificially. They are found in various substances including our food. Vinegar or acetic acid is used as a food preservative, yogurt contain lactic acid, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a common base used in baking, etc.

Acids and bases are essential in various chemical reactions, industrial processes, and biological systems.

Acids

Acids are compounds that donate protons (H⁺) when dissolved in water. Acids are represented as proton donors since they easily release hydrogen ions to other substances.

Acids are identified by their sour taste and their ability to turn blue litmus paper red. Substances with a pH below 7 on the pH scale are termed as acids.

Examples of acid include: hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), citric acid (found in citrus fruits), etc.

Bases

Bases are another name for alkalis which are compounds that dissociate to hydroxide ions (OH^–) in water. Chemically, bases are considered donors of protons as they readily withdraw hydrogen ions from other components.

Bases are bitter in taste and can turn red litmus paper to blue. Substances with a pH value above 7 on the pH scale are termed as bases.

Examples of bases include: Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ammonia (NH₃), Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂), etc.

Uses of Acids

Acids have numerous uses across various industries and applications due to their chemical properties. Some common uses of acids include:

pH Regulation in Agriculture

• Acids are used to adjust the pH level of the soil which enhance the growth and productivity of the crops. The fertilizer applied by farmers contains sulphuric acid which decreases the pH status of alkaline soils making them more suitable for the growth of plants.

• In regions where soil pH is too high, soil acidification lower the pH level and make the soil more acidic. This encourages plant growth and improve yields.

• Example: Farmers use sulfuric acid to decrease soil pH, making it more favorable for crop growth.

Cleaning Agents

• Acids are the main components in various cleaning products due to their dissolving power of mineral deposits and spotted stains. Citric acid and acetic acid are a key component in household bleach bottles and descaling products, where they are capable of removing scale deposits from appliances and surfaces.

• Example: Citric acid and acetic acid are used in household cleaners to dissolve mineral deposits and stains.

Food Preservation

• Acid is also used in food preservation, it destroys microorganisms that cause food to spoil. Acidity in pickling results in an atmosphere that is acidic and this in turn halts the multiplication of bacteria.

• Acids like acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid are used in pickling processes to preserve and flavor food items such as vegetables, fruits, and meats. Pickling also helps inhibit microbial growth and spoilage.

• Similarly, citric acid is used as a natural preservative in cans, which provides freshness to the products for a longer time.

Industrial Processes

• Acids are efficiently used in many industrial procedures involving chemical manufacturing and metal processing.

• Acid, is a universal chemical, that gives industries a wide range of uses manufacturing of fertilizer, detergent, and pharmaceutical product.

• Its ability to act as an accelerant is also widely known in metal etching and battery manufacturing due to its corrosive qualities.

• Example: Sulfuric acid is used in fertilizer production and metal processing due to its corrosive properties.

Water Treatment

• Acids are used in water treatment process to adjust pH levels, and to neutralize alkalinity of water. Hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid are majorly used as the primary agents to decrease the pH levels of water in municipal sewage treatment plants, resulting in improved water quality.

• Acidification also stop the formation of scale on water pipes and other equipment and eases the operations due to which water treatment systems become more efficient.

• Example: Hydrochloric acid is used in municipal sewage treatment to adjust pH levels and improve water quality.

Uses of Bases

Bases have diverse uses across various industries and applications due to their chemical properties. Some common uses of bases include:

Household Cleaning

• Alkalis, or bases are commonly used in many household cleaning agents. Both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide tend to have strong alkaline properties to dissolve the grease and other organic matter residues

• Example: Sodium hydroxide is used in drain and oven cleaners to dissolve grease and organic matter.

Medicinal Uses

• Bases are used in many medical applications ranging from acid neutralization as an antacid, and as an antiseptic as well. Magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate, neutralize excess gastro acid and alleviate the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn.

• Moreover, disinfection and sanitization can be effected with the use of a base known as caustic soda or chlorine bleach; it is effective in treating wounds, etc.

• Example: Magnesium hydroxide is used as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid.

Wastewater Treatment

• Bases are used in water treatment processes to adjust pH, remove heavy metals, and neutralize acidic wastewater. For example, lime (calcium hydroxide) is commonly used in water treatment plants to soften water and precipitate impurities.

• Example: Sodium hydroxide is used to neutralize acidic pollutants in wastewater treatment.

Food Processing

• Bases are used in food production for various purposes, such as controlling pH, leavening, and preservation. It changes food textures, and enhance food flavor. 

• Bases like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is used as a leavening agent in baking to produce carbon dioxide gas, which helps dough rise.

• Example: Sodium hydroxide is used to alkalize cocoa beans in chocolate production.

Textile Dyeing and Finishing

• Bases act as the main components of chemical compounds in the textile industry. They are used as tints in dyeing processes while they also aid in improving dye uptake and finishing off fabric properties.

• Sodium carbonate (soda ash) and sodium hydroxide are the most preferred alkaline agents in textile dyeing because they are capable of fixing and stabilizing dyes on fabrics that could otherwise be washed off.

• Example: Sodium hydroxide is used in textile dyeing to fix dyes on fabrics.

Electroplating

• Bases are used in electroplating processes to prepare metal surfaces for plating by removing oxides and contaminants.

• Example: sodium hydroxide is used as a de-greasing agent in metal preparation before electroplating.

Read More,

• Acids, Bases, and Salts
• Difference Between Acid and Base
• Acid and Base Strength
• Chemical Properties of Acid and Base

FAQs on Uses of Acids and Bases

What are acids and bases?

Acids are compounds that ionize in water and release Hydrogen ions (H⁺). Bases are substances that dissociate in water to hydroxide ions (OH⁻). Acids are of sour taste whereas bases are slippery and have a bitter taste.

What are the differences between the acids and bases?

Acids and bases are both different or opposite in many characteristic ways. The acids have a pH below 7, give red color to blue litmus papers, and form hydrogen gas by reacting with metals. While bases have a pH of more than 7, turn red litmus paper blue, and feel slippery.

Do these acids or bases have any negative effect on human health?

Acids and bases can be harmful to human health if they are mixed incorrectly or in high concentrations. Strong acids such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid can easily lead to severe burns if they accidentally come in contact with skin or mucous membranes. Also, alkaline bases like sodium hydroxide can cause chemical burns and tissue damage.

What are the acidic and alkali household products that can be found?

Acids that are found in some common household products, such as vinegar (acetic acid), lemon juice (citric acid), and battery acid (sulfuric acid), are knowns as household acids. Household products with bases are sodium hypochlorite from bleach, ammonium hydroxide from ammonia-based cleaners, and sodium hydroxide from oven cleaners.

Which part do acids and bases play in neutralization reactions?

In this category of reactions, the acid neutralizes the base, and the product is water and salt. In these reactions, the hydronium ions (H⁺) from the acid react with the hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the base to produce water (H₂O), and the remaining ions combine to form a salt. This leads to a resultant neutral solution with a pH of 7.