Buffer, acid and base - Research Paper Example

A strong battery acid has less than one pH while a strong base has such as drain cleaner has about 14 pH (Lynnette, 2009). On the other side pOH is a measure of the concentration of hydroxide ions, alkalinity or OH-. It measures the basicity of a solution according to the dictionary of Chemistry. pOH is not measured independently rather it is derived from pH. The difference between the two can be described as pH means the H+ ion concentration which indicates the acidic nature of compound while pOH means the concentration of OH- ion which indicates the basic nature of the compound.

The following equation will help us to know about both pH and pOH that how they make a 14 point scale for measuring the alkalinity/basicity or acidity of a substance. In the human body, all fluids are aqueous. It is a solvent that is only present in water. That means all body fluids have pH value either narrow or wide range. Scientific researches claim that the pH range of blood should be slightly basic i.e. from 7.35-7.45. If the range sees drastic change, it is very likely to cause illness or death as so much acidity and basicity is injurious for health.

The Arrhenius definition for acids states that acids produce hydrogen ions in aqueous solutions or when they are added to water. Acids release Hydrogen ion (H+). An acid reacts with magnesium, zinc or aluminum and forms hydrogen (H2(g)). It also reacts with such compounds that contain CO32- and carbon dioxide and water is produced. Acids can corrode metals, eat them away to weaken. Acids are so powerful that they can conduct electricity. They are found in car batteries that are so powerful to run the car.

An acid turns the litmus paper into red. It is sour in nature and found in many natural fruits and vegetables e.g. lemons have citric acid. In a laboratory, it is very dangerous to taste acid. In kitchens, we find vinegar, a type of acid. It is acetic acid that gives vinegar a sour taste (Lynnette,