Characteristic Properties of Acids and Bases

Acids are substances that can donate a proton (H+ ion) to other substances.
Acids have a sour taste and can turn blue litmus paper red.
Acid solutions have a pH value less than 7.
When an acid is diluted, it usually results in a decrease in the concentration of H+ ions.
Acids can neutralise bases to form a salt and water.
They react with metals to produce hydrogen gas and salts.
Acids react with carbonates and bicarbonates to produce carbon dioxide, water and a salt.

Bases are substances that can accept a proton (H+ ion) from other substances.
Bases have a bitter taste and a slippery feel. They turn red litmus paper blue.
Base solutions have a pH value greater than 7.
When a base is diluted, it results in a decrease in the concentration of OH- ions.
Bases can neutralise acids to form a salt and water.
They are generally soluble in water, with the solution often referred to as an alkali.
Bases may react with acids in a neutralisation reaction to produce a salt and water.

Neutralisation reactions occur when an acid reacts with a base.
The products of these reactions are salts and water.
In a neutralisation reaction, the H+ ions from the acid combine with the OH- ions from the base forming water (H2O), and the positive metal ions from the base combine with the negative non-metal ions from the acid to form a salt.
The resulting solution is neutral (pH 7) as it neither acidic nor basic.
Neutralisation reactions are important in many everyday life processes, including in our bodies to maintain pH balance.