Alkali vs. Acid: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Alkalis are substances that form hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in solution and have a pH above 7, while acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H⁺) in solution and have a pH below 7.
Key Differences
Alkalis are basic compounds, typically forming hydroxide ions (OH⁻) when dissolved in water, resulting in a pH greater than 7. Acids, in contrast, are compounds that dissociate in water to release hydrogen ions (H⁺), leading to a pH less than 7.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
The nature of alkalis is such that they can neutralize acids, often resulting in the formation of a salt and water, a process known as neutralization. Acids, on the other hand, can neutralize bases or alkalis, undergoing the same neutralization reaction but from the opposite perspective.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Common examples of alkalis include sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, which are often used in cleaning products and industrial processes. Acids include substances like hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, known for their corrosive properties and wide use in industry.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Alkalis typically feel slippery and can be corrosive to skin and materials, similar to strong acids, but they are characterized by their ability to turn red litmus paper blue. Acids, conversely, have a sour taste and turn blue litmus paper red.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
In terms of chemical structure, alkalis often consist of a metal ion and a hydroxide ion, whereas acids are generally composed of hydrogen atoms and a nonmetal or complex ion.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Neutralization
Neutralizes acids, forming salt and water
Neutralizes bases/alkalis, forming salt and water
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Common Examples
Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide
Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Alkali and Acid Definitions
Alkali
They are characterized by a slippery feel and can be corrosive.
The alkali felt slippery when touched with gloves.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Acid
They often have a sour taste and can be corrosive.
The acid corroded the metal surface quickly.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Alkali
Alkalis turn red litmus paper blue.
In our experiment, the solution turned the red litmus paper blue, indicating it was an alkali.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Acid
Common acids include hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid.
Hydrochloric acid is commonly used in industrial cleaning processes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Alkali
An alkali is a substance that forms hydroxide ions in water and has a basic pH.
Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali used in soap making.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Acid
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
Alkalis are soluble bases that neutralize acids.
The alkali neutralized the acid, forming water and a salt.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Alkali
They are commonly found in cleaning agents and detergents.
Many household cleaners contain alkali substances for effective cleaning.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Alkali
A carbonate or hydroxide of an alkali metal, the aqueous solution of which is bitter, slippery, caustic, and characteristically basic in reactions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
A substance that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
Any of various soluble mineral salts found in natural water and arid soils.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
The quality of being sarcastic, bitter, or scornful
Wrote with acid about her first marriage.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
(chemistry) One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, soda ash, caustic soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing characteristics are dissolving in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
(Western United States) Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing peculiarities are solubility in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
Any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water;
Bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Alkali
A mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar.
Acid fruits or liquors
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
(music) Denoting a musical genre that is a distortion (as if hallucinogenic) of an existing genre, as in acid house, acid jazz, acid rock.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
Any compound that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond; a Lewis acid.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.
He was stern and his face as acid as ever.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
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
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
Harsh or corrosive in tone;
An acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose
A barrage of acid comments
Her acrid remarks make her many enemies
Bitter words
Blistering criticism
Caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics
A sulfurous denunciation
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 10, 2023
Acid
Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions in solution and have an acidic pH.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which gives it its sour taste.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Acid
Acids react with bases to neutralize them, forming salt and water.
The acid reacted with the base to form water and a salt.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Acid
Acids turn blue litmus paper red.
In the lab, the blue litmus paper turned red upon contact with the acid.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 11, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What defines an acid?
A compound that releases hydrogen ions in solution and is acidic.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What is an alkali?
A substance that produces hydroxide ions in water and is basic.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What effect do acids have on litmus paper?
They turn blue litmus paper red.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can alkalis neutralize acids?
Yes, they can neutralize acids, forming salt and water.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Do acids have a characteristic taste?
Yes, acids typically have a sour taste.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What is a common use of acids?
In industrial cleaning and as a food additive for sourness.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Are alkalis corrosive?
Strong alkalis can be corrosive to skin and materials.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Are alkalis harmful to the environment?
In high concentrations, they can be harmful to aquatic life.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Do acids react with metals?
Yes, many acids react with metals, releasing hydrogen gas.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What safety precautions are needed for acids?
Proper handling and storage due to their corrosive nature.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
How are alkalis used in daily life?
In cleaning agents, soaps, and detergents.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Is it safe to touch alkalis?
Caution is needed as strong alkalis can burn the skin.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Can acids be found in food?
Yes, like citric acid in citrus fruits and acetic acid in vinegar.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
What happens when an acid reacts with a carbonate?
It produces carbon dioxide, water, and a salt.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Are alkalis and acids used in agriculture?
Yes, for adjusting soil pH and as nutrients in fertilizers.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 16, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
Dua Fatima
