Understand the basic properties of acids and bases. The Free Dictionary website defines acids as a group of chemical substances which, when brought into contact with water, display a sour taste, turn blue litmus paper red, and react with metals and bases to yield salts. A base, as defined by this dictionary, is any substance whose aqueous solution is characterized by a bitter taste, has a slippery touch, turns red litmus paper blue, and reacts with acids to yield salts.
Learn about everyday substances that display acidic or basic properties. Vinegar commonly consumed in foods is a low-concentration acid. Oranges and other citrus fruits have traces of citric acid. The most common base among everyday substances is baking soda.
Learn how to neutralize acids and bases. Acids mix with bases to yield water and salts. For instance, if you mix hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide (a base), you get water and sodium chloride, which is the salt we consume in our foods.
Understand the pH of acids and bases. The pH is defined as the measure of acidity or alkalinity (base) of an aqueous solution on a scale of 1 to 14. The pH of a neutral solution like water is 7. The pH of acidic solutions falls below 7. The more concentrated the acid, the lower the value of pH. For instance, the pH of hydrochloric acid is 0 or 1, which shows that it is a highly concentrated acid. The pH of bases lies above 7, and the more concentrated a base, the greater its pH. Egg has a pH of 8.0, while caustic soda has a pH of 13 to 14. The most accurate method of finding pH employs the probe and meter. Other methods include litmus paper and a field kit.
Test with litmus paper to find out whether a substance is an acid or a base. You can find this paper, available in red and blue, at a drugstore or buy it online. Prepare an aqueous solution of the base or acid by mixing it with water. Insert the blue litmus paper into the solution. If it turns red, then the substance is an acid. If it does not turn red, replace it with the red litmus paper. If the red litmus paper turns blue, then the substance is a base. If you do not see any change in color, then the substance is neither an acid nor a base.
Read books on acids and bases to further enhance your understanding of these substances. Some books worth reading include "Acids and Bases" by Chris Oxlade, "Acids and Bases" by Lynnette Brent and "Acids and Bases" by Kristi Lew.