Questions: Bases: Properties and Everyday Examples
3 questions to test your understanding
Score: 0 / 3
Question 1 Multiple Choice
Which property is characteristic of bases?
AThey taste sour
BThey turn red litmus paper blue
CThey react vigorously with metals
DThey turn blue litmus paper red
Bases turn red litmus paper blue, which is the opposite of what acids do. Sour taste and turning blue litmus red are properties of acids. While some bases can react with certain metals, the litmus test is the most characteristic identifier.
Question 2 True / False
Most bases are safe to handle because they are the opposite of acids.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Strong bases can be just as dangerous as strong acids. Sodium hydroxide (lye) and potassium hydroxide can cause severe chemical burns. Just as there are mild acids (vinegar) and dangerous acids (hydrochloric acid), there are mild bases (baking soda) and dangerous bases (lye).
Question 3 Short Answer
What ions do bases produce when dissolved in water?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: Hydroxide ions (OH-).
When a base dissolves in water, it produces hydroxide ions (OH-), which consist of one oxygen atom bonded to one hydrogen atom with a negative charge. These OH- ions are responsible for the characteristic properties of bases — bitter taste, slippery feel, and the ability to turn red litmus paper blue.