Term | Definition |
Characteristics of acids | causes litmus paper to turn red, taste sour (lemon juice), dissolves metals, producing bubbles of hydrogen gas, neutralizes bases |
Characteristics of bases | causes litmus paper to turn blue, taste bitter, feels slippery on the skin (soapy), neutralizes acids |
Arrhenius acid | a molecular substance that breaks up in aqueous solution into hydrogen ions (H+) and anions. |
Arrhenius base | defined as a substance that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) in aqueous solution |
Bronsted-Lowry acid | proton donor |
Bronsted-Lowry base | proton acceptor |
strong acid | an acid that ionizes completely in water; a potent proton donor. |
weak acid | An acid that ionizes only slightly in water; a poor proton donor. |
strong base | A base that dissociates completely in water; a potent proton acceptor. |
weak base | A base that ionizes only slightly in water; a poor proton acceptor. |
neutralization | the reaction of an acid with a base. |
Kw (ion product constant of water) | Kw = [H3O+] [OH-] = 1.0 x 10-14 (at 25ÂșC) |
pH | pH = -log[H+] |
acid rain | Rain having a pH less than 5.6. |
buffer | a mixture that reacts with either acid or base to keep the pH of a solution essentially constant. |
oxidation | an increase in oxidation number; combination of an element or compound with oxygen; loss of hydrogen; loss of electrons. |
reduction | a decrease in oxidation number; a gain of electrons; a loss of oxygen; a gain of hydrogen. |
half reaction | a reduction half reaction is the part of a redox reaction that involves a gain of electrons. |
oxidizing agent | a substance that causes oxidation and is itself reduced. |
reducing agent | a substance that causes reduction and is itself oxidized |
anode | the electrode at which oxidation occurs. |
cathode | the electrode at which reduction occurs. |
corrosion | the unwanted oxidation of metals |
combustion | |