Acids and Bases

The concept of acidity is one that is very important in science, and in chemistry in particular.� It is also one which most people are familiar with, even if they don't realise it.� Many foods are slightly acidic, usually foods which are "tangy" or sharp like lemons (citric acid) or vinegar (ethanoic acid). � Ethanoic acid is also the source of the sharp taste in wine that has been left open.� The alcohol (ethanol) is oxidised to ethanoic acid.

Bases (or alkalis) are the opposites of acids and are found in many household goods, like oven cleaner, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), and toothpaste!

It is also useful to know that a bee sting is acidic and a wasp sting is alkali.� To treat a sting by one of these you should use the opposite type of chemical.

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