Acids and alkalis Means that correct acid-base balance. Salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals. alkalis

What are acids, bases and bases from a chemical point of view? Read carefully and memorize. Look don't get confused!

What is an acid?

Acids are molecules that, when dissolved in water, release a hydrogen ion. Ions are positively and negatively charged particles that give acids their properties.

Let's look at this process using the example of hydrochloric acid - HCI. When hydrochloric acid is combined with water, it decomposes into a hydrogen ion (H+) and a chlorine ion (CI). Since the composition of the water molecule also contains hydrogen, the decomposition of hydrochloric acid will increase the total number of hydrogen ions in the solution.

And what happens to alkalis when they enter the water? In water, alkalis release hydroxide ions. For example, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an alkali. When combined with water, it decomposes into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH). When hydroxide ions meet the hydrogen ions of water, the total amount of hydrogen ions in the solution is reduced.

What is a foundation?

A base is a compound chemically opposite to an acid. The composition of the base includes metal ions and associated hydroxide ions. These substances are able to attach hydrogen ions (H+) from an acid. When a base is mixed with an acid, it completely neutralizes its properties, and as a result of the reaction, a salt is formed.

For example, in terms of chemistry, the toothpaste you know well is a base that neutralizes the acid left in the mouth after eating.

REMEMBER! Due to the fact that ions exist only in solutions, acids also show their properties only in solutions.

What is alkali?

Alkalis are compounds that include a metal ion and a hydroxide ion (OH-). Chemists refer to alkalis as hydroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals. Alkalis are white substances that dissolve well in water. Moreover, dissolution is always accompanied by a very active release of heat. Alkalis react with acids to form salt and water.

An alkali such as sodium hydroxide is used to make hard soap.

Alkalis are very active! They are able to absorb not only water vapor from the air, but also molecules of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc. Therefore, alkalis are stored in a very airtight container. Concentrated alkalis destroy glass, and sometimes even porcelain. If we compare alkalis with acids, then alkalis can cause more severe burns, as they penetrate tissue very quickly and are almost impossible to wash off with water.

Why are some liquids acids and others alkalis? It turns out that it's all about the type of ions. If the concentration of hydrogen ions is higher in the liquid, such a liquid is an acid, and if hydroxide ions, then an alkali.

The pH scale is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution from 0 to 14.

If the pH of the solution is in the range of 0-7, then such a solution is considered acidic, while a solution with pH = 0 is the most acidic. Solutions with a pH in the range of 7-14 are alkaline, while a solution with a pH = 14 is considered the most caustic and dangerous.

If the pH of the solution is 7, then such a solution is neutral, since the concentration of hydrogen ions is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions. An example of a neutral solution is pure water.

What is a pH value?

Translated from the Latin pH (potentia hydrogeny) means "power of hydrogen", i.e. activity of hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution.

How do chemists determine the presence of water in a substance?

They take colorless copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) and add it to the substance. If there is no water, then the powder remains colorless, however, even with a minimum amount of water, it turns blue.

Concentrated acids and alkalis

Poisonous liquids are not only found in school laboratories, they are all around us. These are various household chemicals (washing powders and stain removers), flower fertilizers and pesticides, varnishes and paints, adhesives and solvents, gasoline and diesel fuel, batteries, brakes and other technical fluids, and in the kitchen - vinegar and acetic acid.

It is obvious that all the above substances must be used strictly for their intended purpose and in accordance with certain rules indicated on the label of each product. Unfortunately, non-compliance with safety measures when working with toxic agents can lead to serious health problems: poisoning, various damage to the skin and mucous membranes.

ATTENTION! Be sure to remember the following information: acids with a very low pH (less than 2) and alkalis with a pH above 13 are extremely dangerous!

You have already managed to make sure that around us there is a huge amount of acids and alkalis. Dairy products, vegetables and fruits contain citric, malic, oxalic, acetic, lactic, ascorbic and other acids. It's hard to believe, but the seeds of cherries and almonds contain (albeit in minimal amounts) such a strong poison as hydrocyanic acid! It is known that many insects prefer to defend themselves with different acids. Ever wondered why the bites of an ordinary tiny ant are so painful? And all because he sprays droplets of formic acid into the wound. Some types of caterpillars also secrete this acid, and tropical spiders and some beetles protect themselves from enemies with the help of acetic and sulfuric acids.

CAREFULLY! As a rule, concentrated acids and alkalis are available in all school non-tachchemistry rooms, and they can only be used under the guidance of a teacher.

The use of alkalis

Alkalis are widely used in various industries, medicine and everyday life. For example, caustic soda is used to dissolve fats and is part of many detergents, used in the production of cellulose, oils, diesel fuel. Alkalis are also used to make soap, artificial fibers, various dyes, etc.

Acids in the soil

It turns out that there are acids in soils, and the ability of soil to exhibit the properties of acids is called acidity. This indicator depends on the presence of hydrogen ions in the earth. The growth and development of plants depend on the acidity of the soil. Most of them prefer neutral or close soils. However, there are a number of plants that thrive on acidic soils, such as rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and azaleas. Some varieties of hydrangeas can change the color of the buds depending on growing conditions and soil acidity. Scientists have found that the color of the buds is affected by the presence of aluminum!

Most garden soils are characterized by a sufficient content of this element. In an acidic environment, aluminum compounds become soluble and become available to plants, which is why blue buds grow. In a neutral or alkaline environment, aluminum is in the form of insoluble compounds, so it does not enter plants. As a result, pink buds grow on such soils.

Acids and alkalis in our body

To digest food, the body uses gastric juice, which includes hydrochloric acid and various enzymes. Sometimes, especially after overeating, we can feel pain in the stomach. Most often, to relieve discomfort, it is enough to take an antacid, or anti-acid, drug, the main action of which is aimed at neutralizing hydrochloric acid in the stomach. As a rule, all antacids are alkalis, and it is they that neutralize the increased activity of acids.

Alkalis are caustic, solid and easily soluble bases. Acids are generally acidic liquids.

Definition

acids- complex substances that include hydrogen atoms and acid residues.

alkalis- complex substances, which contain hydroxyl groups and alkali metals.

Comparison

Alkalis and acids are antipodes. Acids create an acidic environment, while alkalis create an alkaline environment. They enter into a neutralization reaction, as a result of which water is formed, and the pH environment from acidic and alkaline is converted to neutral.

Acids have a sour taste, while alkalis have a soapy taste. Acids, dissolving in water, form hydrogen ions, which determine their properties. All acids have similar behavior when they enter into chemical reactions.

Alkalis, when dissolved, form hydroxide ions, endowing them with characteristic properties. Alkalis attract hydrogen ions from acids. Alkalis have characteristic features that appear during chemical reactions.

The strength of alkalis and acids is determined by pH. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are acids, and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are alkalis. Alkalis and acids are distinguished using indicators - substances that change color when in contact with them. For example, litmus turns blue in alkalis and red in acids.

For greater reliability of the experiment, another indicator is added to alkalis - colorless phenolphthalein. It colors alkalis in a characteristic crimson color, and remains unchanged with acids. Traditionally, alkalis are determined precisely by phenolphthalein.

At home, acid and alkali are recognized by resorting to a simple experiment. Liquids are added to the baking soda and the reaction is observed. If the reaction is accompanied by the rapid release of gas bubbles, then the flask contains acid. Alkali with soda, which by its nature is the same alkali, does not react.

Findings site

  1. Acids and alkalis are unable to peacefully coexist even for one second, being in contact. Having mixed up, they instantly begin a violent interaction. The chemical reaction with them is accompanied by hissing and warming up and lasts until these ardent antagonists destroy each other.
  2. Acids tend to form an acidic environment, and alkalis tend to form an alkaline one.
  3. Chemists distinguish an alkali from an acid by its behavior with litmus paper or phenolphthalein.

Acid-alkaline food table will help you with the preparation of the optimal diet. The acid-base balance should consist of 70-80% alkaline foods and 20-30% acid-forming foods. There are good and bad acid-forming foods out there, it's necessary to know the difference. Because bad acids should be avoided consistently. It is not always easy to correctly correlate the basic and acid-forming implementation of food products in everyday life.

Content:

Acid-base balance

The blood needs the right balance of acidic and basic (alkaline) compounds to function properly. This is called acid-base balance. Your kidneys and lungs work to maintain an acid-base balance. Even small deviations from the normal range can have a significant impact on your vitals.

Acid and alkaline levels are measured on a pH scale. An increase in acidity leads to a drop in pH. An increase in alkalinity causes an increase in pH.

When the level of acid in the blood is too high, it is called acidosis. When your blood is too alkaline, it is called alkalosis.

And alkalosis is caused by a lung problem. Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by a kidney problem.

Each of these acid-base disorders is caused by an underlying disease or disorder. Treatment depends on the cause.

How to check the acid-base balance of the body

It is not easy to tell what state the acid-base balance is in at any given time. The only real external signs that can be are weak bones, receding gums, weak or broken teeth, and muscle loss, and even these signs are not necessarily indicative.

This is why checking the acid-base balance is so important for health. Testing your body's pH will give you an idea of ​​how your body tends to be metabolically acidic or in the balanced, slightly alkaline state it needs. This test is relatively simple and can be done in your own home.

Acid-base balance of urine

It is better to test the second urine of the day. Your first urine will be overly acidic as it flushes out waste from last night. When you're ready, simply tear off a small piece of litmus paper and place it in your urine stream for a few seconds. Or, you can urinate into a small cup and dip paper into your urine this way.

Look at the color of your paper and compare it to the color chart on litmus paper. You want to aim for a urine pH of 6.0-6.5. While many alkalizing diets and websites will claim 7.0-7.5 is needed, I don't think this is ideal based on the science and my research. If you check later in the day and your urine is more like 6.5-7.0, that's fine as we become more alkaline during the day.


Measuring Acid-Alkaline Balance

First, our kidneys need to eliminate acids, which is why we want our urine to be at an acidic job. If the urine is too alkaline, it may mean that the kidneys are not working properly or something is going on in the metabolic state. Keep in mind that some supplements like vitamin D, calcium and magnesium can throw your pH balance off a bit in some cases. If you want to know your "true" pH, go without supplements for a few days and then test again.

Acid-base balance of saliva

This measures your body's enzyme stores and the function of digestive organs such as the stomach, pancreas, and liver. Must be checked first in the morning before brushing your teeth or even drinking water. The ideal range is 6.5-7.0. This shows that you have a good supply of minerals, but it also shows that you are digesting your food well. If greater than 7.0, your digestive system may be a little sluggish and you may have problems with gas, constipation, and fungus/mold.

Our Acid-Alkaline Chart lists virtually all alkaline and all acid-forming foods.

You may wonder why we are constantly talking about an alkaline and not a basic diet. This is simply because we do not recommend the alkaline diet as a permanent diet:

A pure staple diet is excellent for detoxification and also accompanies a colon cleanse. Thus, the main diet is more for short-term action.
-Basic nutrition consists not only of alkaline foods, but also acidic foods. After all, not all acid-forming foods are bad and unhealthy.

What does alkaline mean?

Do not think that the designation alkaline is similar to alkaline soap.
Rather, it is about how food works in the body and what substances are produced during its metabolism in the body.
Please note that there are currently many different acid-base charts on the net or in the literature - and they all differ more or less from each other.

Table of alkaline fruits

Apples Mango
A pineapple
Apricots Nectarines
Avocado Olives (green, black) Grapefruit
Bananas Oranges
clementine papaya
fresh dates Peaches
Strawberry Prunes
Fig Cowberry
Grapefruit Quince
Blueberry Currant (red, white, black)
Raspberry Gooseberry
Melons Dried fruits
Cherries (sour, sweet;) Watermelons
Kiwi Grapes (white, red)
Limes Lemons
Tangerines Prunes

Table of alkaline vegetables

Algae (Nori, Wakame, Hijiki, Chlorella, Spirulina) Okroy
Artichokes Peppers
Eggplant Parsnip
Whitening Celery Parsley Root
Cauliflower Radishes
Green beans Radishes (white, black)
Broccoli Romanesco (Flowers)
Chicory Brussels sprouts
Chinese cabbage Beetroot
Peas, fresh Cabbage leaf
fennel shallot
Green onion Black root
cabbage asparagus
Cucumbers Cabbage Spitz (Sugar Loaf)
Carrot
Potato Tomato (raw)
Garlic white cabbage
Kohlrabi Savoy
Pumpkin types Zucchini
Leek (Leek) Onion
chard celery
(white turnips)

Tables of alkali mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms Shiitake
Champignons White mushrooms
Truffles
Chanterelles ... and many others

Table of alkaline herbs and alkaline salads

Basil
Batavia Salad Lollo Salads (Biondo/Rosso)
Savory Marjoram
Borage horseradish
Spanish Salad
Kress Melissa
Chinese cabbage Nutmeg
Chicory Cloves
Pepper oregano
Dill Parsley
Watercress salad Pepper (all types)
Iceberg lettuce
Chicory Allspice
Field lettuce Rosemary
Fennel Seeds Rucola (Arugula)
Friseesalat Saffron
garden cress
Ginger Sorrel
Capers Green onions
Cardamom Black cumin
chervil celery leaves
Coriander Thyme
Salad Vanilla
Watercress Wild Herbs
Cumin Hyssop
Cumin Cinnamon
Melissa
Pan di Azucar Bitter Winter Salad
Lovage ... and many others

Table of alkaline seedlings

Alfalfa-Sprouts Radishes-Cabbage
Fenugreek Sprouts Radish Sprouts
Brown Millet Sprouts Rye Seedlings
Broccoli-Cabbage Cabbage-Cabbage
Spelled shoots Arugula Sprouts
Barley sprouts Mustard sprouts
Millet-Sprouts Seeds-Sprouts
Flax seed Wheat sprouts seedlings
Sprouted Lentils…and many more

Table of Alkali Nuts and Seeds

Forest Almond
Walnut Maroni (Chestnuts)

alkaline protein

Lupine Protein Tablets Lupine flour

Alkaline Drinks

fruit smoothie
Green Smoothie
herbal teas
Protein Shake with Lupine Protein
Water
Water from 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Lemon water (200 ml of water with the juice of half a lemon)


Acidifying Products

Acidic or acid-forming foods should be combined with the main food as much as possible.
Acid-forming foods are not automatically bad or unhealthy in any way. On the contrary, there are foods that can act acid-forming, but at the same time, are very healthy, such as nuts or legumes.
Unlike the bad ones, they only work at a few levels of acid production.
The so-called good sour foods must be included in the diet, while you refrain from bad ones.

Good acid-forming foods

  • Organic grains (such as spelt, kamut, or barley in small amounts - much like wheat germ or sprouts)
  • Cereal products such as bulgur and couscous, but spelled, wheat
  • Oats/oat flakes (BIO quality)
  • Millet rice and whole grains (brown rice)
  • Legumes (e.g. bean kernels, lentils, chickpeas, peas, etc.)
  • High quality cocoa powder as well as homemade chocolate
  • Corn (e.g. polenta, corn paste)
  • Nuts (e.g. walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, brazil nuts, hoarfrost coconut flakes (also coconut), etc.)
  • Oilseeds (e.g. sesame, hempseed, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, chia seeds, etc.; the seeds germinate and become more alkaline depending on the sprout)
  • Vegetable protein powders (if protein deficient), such as hemp protein, rice protein, and pea protein
  • Pseudo-cereals (eg quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat)
  • Animal products from organic farming in moderation (such as organic eggs or fish from organic aquaculture)
  • Tofu (bio only) and quality fermented organic soy products such as miso and tempeh

Good acid-forming drinks

  • Green tea (properly prepared - at low temperatures and short steeping)
  • Lupine coffee
  • Drinkable chocolate (homemade, such as almond milk and raw cocoa powder)
  • High-quality herbal drinks: rice drink, oatmeal drink, soy drink - respectively without Süssungsmittel, flavors, thickeners, etc.

Bad acid-forming foods (animals)

  • Eggs from traditional farming
  • Fish and seafood from conventional aquaculture or from contaminated regions
  • Meat from traditional farming
  • Meat Broth, Sausages, Ham
  • Dairy products (for example, cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir, whey and all cheeses, also sheep and goat; and low-fat dairy products)

Exception: butter, ghee and cream (bio quality), which can be classified as neutral

Bad acid-forming foods (plant-based)

  • Vinegar (wine vinegar, exception: unclarified apple cider vinegar)
  • Finished products of all kinds
  • Cereal flour products (Bakery and pasta such as bread, buns, pretzels, cakes, cookies, sweet particles, pasta, etc., some breakfasts, such as corn flakes, cooked corn flakes, crunches, etc. )
  • Gluten-containing foods (e.g. seitan products like veggie sausages, sausages, Bolognese, etc.)
  • Ketchup (exception: homemade such as tomato and date ketchup)
  • sour canned food
  • Mustard (exception: high quality bio-mustard)
  • Soy products (if heavily processed, in particular textured soy proteins
  • Ice cream (water, soy and frozen yogurt - exception: Alkaline ice)
  • Sugar (all foods that contain sugar) - coconut sugar.

Bad Acid Beverages

Alcohol and caffeinated drinks

Carbonated drinks (e.g. lemonade, cola, etc.), soft drinks such as concentrate juice, protein drinks, sweetened milkshakes, slimming drinks.
Coffee, grain, instant and decaffeinated coffee
Milk
Mineral water and carbonated drinks in general
Tea (black tea, fruit tea, iced tea, etc., only herbal tea is alkaline)

Don't forget to drink clean water!


Of the inorganic medicinal substances, acids, alkalis, salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals are of the greatest importance for the body. These compounds are electrolytes, i.e. dissociate into ions in solution.

acids

(diluted hydrochloric acid and 0.1 N solution, boric acid, salicylic acid, etc.)

The biological effect of acids depends mainly on hydrogen ions, therefore, their activity is determined by the degree of dissociation. During the dissociation of most acids, the anion does not play a significant role in the action of the acid. The exception is hydrocyanic acid (HC), the toxic properties of which depend on the C anion.

local action.

Acids, interacting with whites of the skin and mucous membranes, form dense albuminates that are insoluble in water and do not penetrate deep into the tissue.

At low concentrations, the acid has an astringent (anti-inflammatory) effect, and at higher concentrations, it has an irritating and cauterizing effect. The astringent effect is more pronounced in weak acids; cauterizing - in the strong. Weakly dissociate, for example, boric and salicylic acids, they have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal effects, are used as antiseptics, depending on the concentration, salicylic acid has keratoplastic (stimulates epithelialization) 1-2%, or keratolytic (scaly) 10-20% action.

The local action of acids is accompanied by reflex reactions, their magnitude and nature depend on the intensity of the action of the acid.

Strong inorganic acids (sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric) cause coagulative necrosis; they take away water and form a dense albuminate on the surface of the tissue - a dry scab.

Of particular interest is the effect of acids on the secretion and motility of the gastrointestinal tract. This action was studied by the school of IP Pavlov. Acids are necessary for digestion (for example, dilute hydrochloric acid), they promote the action of pepsin, enhance the secretion of gastric and pancreatic juices, delay the passage of stomach contents into the duodenum, because getting into it causes contraction of the pyloric part of the stomach, which only relaxes after acid neutralization.

resorptive action.

After absorption into the blood or parenteral administration, acids are immediately neutralized by buffer systems and do not have a resorptive effect.

When a large amount of acids enters the blood, alkaline reserves are depleted and first compensated, then uncompensated acidosis develops (pH<7,35).

Thus, the clinic of acid poisoning consists of the symptoms of their local action and the phenomena of uncompensated acidosis (coma, depressed breathing, drop in blood pressure).

Help measures: Remove acid from the surface of the skin with water or a weak solution of alkali (soda-hydrocarbonate Na). If the acid is taken orally, it is neutralized with a weak alkali - magnesium oxide. To prevent shock, narcotic analgesics (promedol, omnopon), antispasmodics (atropine, no-shpa) are administered. Means of specific therapy for acidosis (Na bicarbonate, trisamine), carry out symptomatic and dosing therapy.

Hello, friends. Today we will deal with the following topic: acids and alkalis. To be more precise, then "how Are alkalis different from acids? Let's think a little about chemistry. In general, acids and bases are such chemical elements that, when combined with each other (in the correct amount), create a process neutralization. This process eventually gives us water and salt.
And the result is a substance that does not belong to either acids or alkalis. It cannot cause burns. But this will be only with the correct proportion of acid and alkali (sometimes phenolphthalein is used for fidelity, it colors the alkali in a slightly purple color).
Acid and alkali are like two opposites. But they are very important in the manufacture of such things as: fertilizers, plastics, soaps, detergents, paints, paper and even explosives. This is not the whole list.
Acid - this is something sour, it is characterized by a sour taste. Acid is found in vinegar - acetic acid, in lemon - citric acid, in milk - lactic acid, in the stomach - hydrochloric acid, etc. But it's all so-called weak acids, in addition to them, there are acids with a higher concentration (sulfuric acid, etc.). They are much more dangerous for a person and it is not recommended for anyone to try them. They can corrode clothing, skin, cause severe burns on the skin, corrode concrete and other substances. For example, we need hydrochloric acid so that the stomach digests food faster, as well as to destroy most of the harmful bacteria that come with food.
alkali - These are substances that are highly soluble in water. In this case, the reaction is accompanied by the release of heat, with an increase in temperature. If alkali is compared with acid, then it is much “soapier” to the touch, that is, slippery. In general, alkalis are not far behind acids in terms of corrosiveness and strength. They can also easily corrode wood, plastic, clothing, and the like.
By the way, soap, glass, paper, fabric are made from alkalis, and this is not the whole list. Lye can be found in your kitchen, or in a store called baking soda. . By the way, baking soda is a very good helper for all housewives.

Acids and alkalis are distinguished by their pH values ​​(pH scale). Below you see a picture - this is a special scale on which there are numbers from 0 to 14. Zero denotes the most strong acids, and fourteen the strongest lye. But what is the middle between these numbers? Maybe 5, maybe 7, maybe 10? The middle is considered to be the number 7 (neutral position). That is, numbers up to 7 are all acids, and more than 7 are alkalis.



Acidity index of pH solutions, mechanism of action

It is for this scale that special indicators have been developed. - litmus. This is an ordinary strip that reacts to the environment. In an acid environment, it turns in red, and in an alkaline environment - in blue. It is necessary not only in chemistry, but also in everyday life.

For example, if you have an aquarium, then the acidity of the water plays an important role. The whole life of the aquarium depends on it. For example, the acidity index of water for aquarium fish ranges from 5 to 9 pH. If there is more or less, then the fish will not feel comfortable, and may even die. It's the same with aquarium plants...

Working with acids and alkalis requires great care and caution. After all, when it comes into contact with the skin, they cause severe burns. Try to work in a ventilated area. Inhaling vapors of alkalis and acids is also not recommended. For personal safety, you should use glasses, gloves and special clothing so as not to damage your eyes, hands and favorite clothes)))
When working with acids it should be remembered that the acid is first poured into the solution (water), and not vice versa. Otherwise, a violent reaction will occur, which is accompanied by splashes. And the process of adding acid to the solution should be done very slowly, while controlling the degree of heating of the vessel and be sure to add acid along the walls of the vessel.
When working with alkalis the first should be to add a little alkali (i.e. alkali to water - right!). In addition, it is forbidden to use glassware, porcelain or special dishes are recommended.
In the chemical processing of metals (oxidation, anodizing, etching, etc.), the product should be immersed in the solution and removed from the solution using special devices or tools, but not by hand, even if they are wearing rubber gloves. By the way, alkali is part of some