How are acids and bases different? How do there pH values differ?

Question

How are acids and bases different?  How do there pH values differ?

Avery Adams · Accepted Answer

An acid causes an increase in the concentration of the characteristic cation of the solvent...........

The characteristic cation of the solvent is more concentrated when an acid is present, and the characteristic anion is more concentrated when a base is present. For water, which is by far the most common solvent, the characteristic cation is what we call the hydronium ion, represented as #H_3O^+#, quite probably a cluster of 3-4 water molecules with an extra proton attached, and the characteristic anion is the hydroxide ion, #""^(-)OH#. In water under standard conditions at #298*K#, the ion product, #[HO^-][H_3O^+]# #=# #10^(-14)#. Because, by definition, #pH# #=# #-log_10[H_3O^+]#, addition of an acid will decrease the #pH# of the solution. From the above, #pH+pOH=14# always.

Cooper Adams · Answer

undefined Acids and bases differ in their chemical properties and behavior. Acids typically release hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water, while bases release hydroxide ions (OH⁻). Acids taste sour, turn blue litmus paper red, and react with metals to produce hydrogen gas. Bases taste bitter, feel slippery, turn red litmus paper blue, and can neutralize acids.

The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Acids have pH values below 7, with lower pH indicating stronger acidity. Bases have pH values above 7, with higher pH indicating stronger basicity.