G8-Acids & Bases -Lower-03

The fire in your mouth has diminished. Everyone at the table is still chuckling as they look over at you. It is coming back to you now. You did learn about acids and bases in school. It was during Chemistry class.

Before you learned about acids and bases, you thought acids were very scary. Now you know better. You now realize that both acids and bases are around you all the time. They are the items you use to clean with to the foods you eat. They are all some type of acid, base, or a neutral compound.

You use, eat, and drink acids every day. Oranges and lemons contain acidic acid, that’s why they taste tart. This is also why it is important to brush your teeth! Acids can be bad for tooth enamel. Acids are also used in many cleaning products around your home.

 Bases are less common as foods, but they are still present in many household products. Many cleaners contain ammonia, a base. The compound sodium hydroxide (NaOH) , another base, is found in drain cleaners. Antacids, which combat excess stomach acid, are comprised of bases such as magnesium hydroxide or sodium hydrogen carbonate.

 Water is an acid. No wait, it’s a base. Actually, water is both an acid and a base at the same time. Its acid properties cancel out its base properties. As a result, water has a neutral pH.

Leave it to your Uncle Julio! He burns the skin off your tongue and still squeezes in a little Science instruction. You turned to him and gave him one more death stare before you started to laugh.

“…and people think acids are dangerous? Those bases will start a fire in your mouth if you are not careful,” you shared.

“Just know your acids and bases, and you will always be okay,” Julio said jokingly. “Perhaps we had better go out tomorrow night for dinner. My treat. Anyone like Thai food?”

The whole table erupted in laughter.