Acid vs. Alkaline — What's the Difference?

Can corrode metals or cause burns.

Tastes bitter due to alkalinity.

A substance with a pH less than 7.

A substance with a pH greater than 7.

Releases hydrogen ions in water.

Releases hydroxide ions in water.

Turns blue litmus paper red.

Can cause burns and irritation.

Tastes sour due to high acidity.

Turns red litmus paper blue.

An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e., hydrogen ion, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid, or, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis acid.The first category of acids are the proton donors, or Brønsted–Lowry acids. In the special case of aqueous solutions, proton donors form the hydronium ion H3O+ and are known as Arrhenius acids.

Of, relating to, or containing an alkali.

A substance with particular chemical properties including turning litmus red, neutralizing alkalis, and dissolving some metals; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind.

Having a pH greater than 7.

A molecule or other species which can donate a proton or accept an electron pair in reactions.

Having a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions.

The drug LSD

Of or relating to a common disposable battery made of zinc and manganese dioxide.

Containing acid or having the properties of an acid; having a pH of less than 7.

Of, or relating to an alkali, one of a class of caustic bases.

Sharp-tasting or sour

(chemistry) Having a pH greater than 7.

(of rock, especially lava) containing a relatively high proportion of silica

An alkaline battery.

Any of a class of substances whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a sour taste, the ability to turn blue litmus red, and the ability to react with bases and certain metals to form salts.

Of or pertaining to an alkali or to alkalies; having the properties of an alkali.

A substance that yields hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

Relating to or containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7;

A substance that can act as a proton donor.

A substance that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.

A substance having a sour taste.

The quality of being sarcastic, bitter, or scornful

(Slang) See LSD1.

Of, relating to, or containing an acid.

Having a high concentration of acid.

Having the characteristics of an acid.

Having a pH of less than 7.

Having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions.

(Geology) Containing a large proportion of silica

Having a sour taste.

Biting, sarcastic, or scornful

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar.

(figuratively) Sour-tempered.

Of or pertaining to an acid; acidic.

(music) Denoting a musical genre that is a distortion (as if hallucinogenic) of an existing genre, as in acid house, acid jazz, acid rock.

A sour substance.

(chemistry)

Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.

Any compound that easily donates protons to a base; a Brønsted acid.

Any compound that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond; a Lewis acid.

Any corrosive substance.

LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.

Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.

A sour substance.

One of a class of compounds, generally but not always distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in water, and reddening of vegetable blue or violet colors. They are also characterized by the power of destroying the distinctive properties of alkalies or bases, combining with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united with a more negative element or radical, either alone, or more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this negative element or radical. Those which contain no oxygen are sometimes called hydracids in distinction from the others which are called oxygen acids or oxacids.

Any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt

Street name for lysergic acid diethylamide

Harsh or corrosive in tone;

Containing acid;

In concentrated forms, both can be harmful, but in diluted forms, many are safe for consumption or use.

Acids have a pH below 7, while alkaline substances (bases) have a pH above 7.

Acids turn blue litmus paper red, while alkaline substances turn red litmus paper blue.

Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, while baking soda and ammonia are alkaline.

The chemical composition of acids creates a sour taste, while bases produce a bitter flavor.

Acids release hydrogen ions (H⁺), while alkaline substances release hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

Stomach acid aids in digestion, while alkaline bile neutralizes stomach acids as food passes to the intestines.

pH is a scale that measures the concentration of hydrogen ions, ranging from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic).

Yes, when mixed in proper amounts, they neutralize each other, forming water and a salt.

Strong acids (like hydrochloric acid) and bases (like sodium hydroxide) fully dissociate into ions in water.

Acids react with metals to release hydrogen gas, causing corrosion.

Yes, but they will react to form water and salts, reducing each other's potency.

Some substances, called amphoteric, can act as either, like water and amino acids, depending on the environment.

Most are, like ammonia and baking soda, but some, like vinegar, are acidic.

Yes, naturally occurring acids include citric acid, while alkaline substances include minerals like limestone.