Guides
Acids vs Bases vs Salts — Definitions, Properties & Examples
Acids, bases and salts are all common electrolytes; they differ by the ions they release in water.
Definitions
- Acid: the only cation on ionisation is H⁺ — e.g. HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃.
- Base: the only anion is OH⁻ — e.g. NaOH, Ca(OH)₂, KOH.
- Salt: a metal (or NH₄⁺) cation plus an acid anion — e.g. NaCl, CaCO₃, Na₂SO₄.
Typical reactions
| Typical reactions | |
|---|---|
| Acid | H₂ with active metals; neutralise bases; CO₂ with carbonates; turns litmus red |
| Base | neutralise acids; react with acidic oxides; turns litmus blue |
| Salt | double displacement (precipitate/gas/water); displacement with active metals |
Look up
Structure, reactions and hazards of each are in the compound library (filter by Acid/Base/Salt).