Questions: Acids: Properties and Everyday Examples

Question 1

Which property is characteristic of acids?

• A. They feel slippery
• B. They taste bitter
• C. They turn blue litmus paper red
• D. They turn red litmus paper blue

Answer: (C)

Acids turn blue litmus paper red. Feeling slippery, tasting bitter, and turning red litmus paper blue are all properties of bases, not acids. The litmus test is one of the simplest ways to identify whether a solution is acidic or basic.

Question 2

Most acids are dangerous and should rarely be touched.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Many acids are common and safe in everyday life. Citric acid is in lemon juice, acetic acid is in vinegar, and carbonic acid is in soda. However, strong or concentrated acids like hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid are corrosive and dangerous. The key is knowing which acids are safe and which require careful handling.

Question 3

What do acids produce when they dissolve in water?

Model answer: Hydrogen ions (H+).

When an acid dissolves in water, it releases hydrogen ions (H+) into the solution. These hydrogen ions are responsible for the characteristic properties of acids — sour taste, reactivity with metals, ability to turn litmus paper red, and ability to conduct electricity. The more H+ ions in solution, the more acidic it is.