Module 11: Acid/Bases, Neutralization, and Redox Reactions

You are surrounded by acids and bases in your everyday life. Vinegar, known as acetic acid, is used commonly in the kitchen. Sulfuric acid powers car batteries and is used to manufacture toothpaste. Bases, like baking soda, are used in cleaning products. Baking soda is also used in cooking. Another common base, ammonia, is one of the most common bases in the world. Acids and bases are measured on the pH scale. On this scale, acids are represented by a low number and bases are represented by a higher number.

In order for chemists to produce new medicines, chemicals, and products, they must sometimes perform a titration. A titration helps the chemist to determine the concentration of an unknown solution. Why is this important? Chemists also use titrations to check the water that you drink for quality.

In some reactions, electrons are transferred. When one substance loses electrons, another substance gains electrons. Many of the chemical reactions that occur around you, and even inside of your body, are oxidation-reduction reactions.