Question

How do you test for acids and bases?

Answer 1

The acid solution and the basic solution is determined by using the Litmus paper. The blue Litmus paper is used to detect acidic solutions and the red litmus paper is used to detect the basic solution.

Complete step by step answer:
As we know that acids are classified as those compounds which donate their hydrogen ions and the bases are classified as those compounds which accept the hydrogen ions or donate hydroxide ions. The hydrogen ion donated by the acid is accepted by the base to form a neutral salt.
The normal pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. When the pH is lower than 7, then the solution is considered as an acidic solution, when the pH is greater than 7 then the solution is the basic solution. When the pH is 7 then the solution is a neutral solution.
The most common tests for acid and bases are litmus paper tests. The litmus paper is the chemical indicator used to test the nature of a solution by changing the color in response to the pH of the solution.
The blue litmus paper is used to detect the acidic solution. Dip one end of the blue litmus paper into the solution, then quickly remove it. The blue litmus paper will instantly turn red if the solution is acidic. It will remain blue in color if the solution is either neutral or basic. Put the strip aside.
Now dip one end of the red litmus paper into the solution and take out, the red litmus paper is used to test the basic solution. The red litmus paper will instantly turn blue if the solution is basic. It will remain red if the solution is either neutral or acidic. Place the strip aside the blue litmus paper.
Observe the colors of both strips of litmus paper, if both strips are red, then your solution is acidic. If both strips are blue, the solution is basic. If one strip is blue and the other is red, then the solution is neutral.

Note: You must know that litmus paper only helps us to know whether a solution is acidic or basic, it cannot determine the specific pH level of the solution.