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Pure liquid water exists primarily as molecules of H2O. Some (very few) H2O molecules in liquid water will dissociate (separate) into one free H+ ion and one free OH- ion. The number of H+ and OH- ions in pure water are equal (H/OH=1), which makes water neutral. When a compound is added to water that shifts the ratio of H+ and OH- ions so that there is more free H+ than free OH- (H/OH>1) the solution becomes acidic.

The easiest way to make water acidic is to add something to the water that will dissociate into H+ ions and negative ions that are not OH-. For example, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) will separate into two H+ ions and one SO4- ion. Thus, every one molecule of H2SO4 added to water will make the ratio of H/OH = 3 (one H+ from the water plus two H+ from the sulfuric acid divided by one OH- from water = 3).

As an extra bit of info... Free H+ ions in water will always associate with an H2O molecule to produce H3O+. Thus, the ratio of H3O/OH is what we are actually calculating.

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15y ago
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5mo ago

An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+), while a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-). Acids taste sour, turn blue litmus paper red, and react with metals to produce hydrogen gas. Bases taste bitter, feel slippery, turn red litmus paper blue, and can be corrosive.

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17y ago

So called pure water, which in chemistry terms would actually be distilled water has a Ph of 7. It's neutral. As soon as it is exposed to the air, it is not neutral anymore though! It's not supposed to taste like anything. Water won't react with basic solutions or acidic solutions. Acid had a Ph lower than 7. It is supposed to taste sour, like lemon juice. It will react with basic solutions. Sometimes violently and dangerously. I won't tell you what common household items you shouldn't mix together to see how reactive it can be! That's all I can remember. Haven't taken a chemistry class in almost 15 years!

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13y ago

The difference between acidic and basic solutions is the reversed imbalance of the concentrations of H+ and OH- ions in water (at 25oC):

  • acidic: [H+] > 1.0*10-7 > [OH-]
  • basic : [H+] < 1.0*10-7 < [OH-]
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13y ago

Any aqueous solution is going to have some hydrogen ions (H+) and some hydroxide ions (OH-) as a result of the dissociation of water, as well as any acids or bases in the solution. If the quantity of hydrogen ions exceeds the quantity of hydroxide ions, that is an acidic solution, and if the quantity of hydroxide ions exceeds the quantity of hydrogen ions, that is a basic solution; if there is exactly the same concentration of both types of ion, that is a neutral solution.

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14y ago

One way that it differs is that they have different pH levels. The pH of water is 7 and the pH of acid is less than 7. Hope this helps!

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12y ago

Acidic solutions contain higher concentrations of H+ ions than pure water and have pH values below 7.

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14y ago

basic solutions have more bases in them, molecules that release 0H- ions in the solution. acidic solutions have more acids, molecules that give off H+ ions in the solution

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Q: What is the difference between an acidic and basic solution?
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What distinguishes an acidic solution from a basic solution?

The main difference between an acidic solution and a basic solution lies in their pH levels. An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. On the other hand, a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydroxide ions.


What is the difference between acidic solution and a basic solution?

An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating an excess of hydrogen ions, while a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating an excess of hydroxide ions. Acids tend to donate protons, while bases tend to accept protons.


What is the difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

Acidic oxides react with water to form acids, while basic oxides react with water to form bases. Acidic oxides have a higher concentration of oxygen ions, leading to a more acidic solution when dissolved in water. Basic oxides have a higher concentration of metal ions, resulting in a more basic solution when dissolved in water.


Difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

An acidic oxide reacts with water to form an acid solution, while a basic oxide reacts with water to form a basic solution. Acidic oxides are typically nonmetal oxides, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), while basic oxides are typically metal oxides, such as sodium oxide (Na2O).


As an acidic solution is added to a basic solution the pH of the basic solution decreases?

Yes, as an acidic solution is added to a basic solution, the pH of the basic solution will decrease because the acidic solution introduces more H+ ions, thereby shifting the pH of the combined solution towards a more acidic value.

Related questions

What distinguishes an acidic solution from a basic solution?

The main difference between an acidic solution and a basic solution lies in their pH levels. An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydrogen ions. On the other hand, a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating a higher concentration of hydroxide ions.


What is the reaction between and acidic and basic solution?

Neutralization


What is the difference between acidic solution and a basic solution?

An acidic solution has a pH below 7, indicating an excess of hydrogen ions, while a basic solution has a pH above 7, indicating an excess of hydroxide ions. Acids tend to donate protons, while bases tend to accept protons.


What is the reaction between an acidic and a basic solution called?

The reaction between an acidic and a basic solution is called neutralization. In this reaction, the acid and base react to form water and a salt.


What is the difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

Acidic oxides react with water to form acids, while basic oxides react with water to form bases. Acidic oxides have a higher concentration of oxygen ions, leading to a more acidic solution when dissolved in water. Basic oxides have a higher concentration of metal ions, resulting in a more basic solution when dissolved in water.


Is Seltzer basic or acidic?

The solution is acidic.


Difference between acidic oxide and basic oxide?

An acidic oxide reacts with water to form an acid solution, while a basic oxide reacts with water to form a basic solution. Acidic oxides are typically nonmetal oxides, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), while basic oxides are typically metal oxides, such as sodium oxide (Na2O).


As an acidic solution is added to a basic solution the pH of the basic solution decreases?

Yes, as an acidic solution is added to a basic solution, the pH of the basic solution will decrease because the acidic solution introduces more H+ ions, thereby shifting the pH of the combined solution towards a more acidic value.


Is an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide acidic or basic?

This solution is basic.


Is ZnSO4 acidic or basic?

ZnSO4 is neutral in aqueous solution because it does not exhibit acidic or basic properties.


What determines if a solution is acidic or basic?

The concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution determines if it is acidic or basic. If the concentration of H+ is higher than the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-), the solution is acidic. If the concentration of H+ is lower than the concentration of OH-, the solution is basic.


What is a solution with a pH of 2.2 acidic basic or neutral?

acidic