What determines an acid vs. a base?

• All about the ions!
  • If your substance produces an excess of cations (H+) when reacting, it is more than likely an acid
  • If your substance produces an excess of anions (OH-) when reacting, it is more than likely a base
    • Example: HCl + H2O -> H+ + Cl- + O2- (probably will be ClOH)
    • Really depends on the substances that are reacting

Acids

• Made up of one or more hydrogen atom
• H- can be easily released in a water solution
• Identified through the chemical formula
  • Example H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)
• At room temperature, a pH less than 7.0