What is the Difference Between Acid and Alkaline?

The difference between acid and alkaline lies in their pH values and the ions they produce when dissolved in water. Here are the key differences:

• pH values: Acids have a pH below 7, while alkaline compounds have a pH above 7. A pH of 7 is considered neutral.
• Ions: Acids donate hydrogen ions (protons) when dissolved in water, while alkaline compounds, which are a subset of bases, donate hydroxide ions when dissolved in water.
• Taste and texture: Acids have a sour taste and a sticky feeling, while alkaline compounds have a bitter taste and a slippery feeling.

In the human body, different parts have different pH levels. For example, blood has a pH between 7.35 and 7.45, making it slightly alkaline, while the stomach has a highly acidic pH of 3.5 or lower. Some proponents of the alkaline diet believe that eating large amounts of acidifying foods can cause the body to become more acidic, increasing vulnerability to illness and disease. However, more research is needed to establish the purported benefits of maintaining a specific pH level within the body.

Comparative Table: Acid vs Alkaline

The main difference between acids and alkaline substances lies in their pH values. Acids have pH values below 7, while alkaline substances have pH values above 7. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between acids and alkaline substances:

• Acids release hydrogen ions (H+ ions) when dissolved in water, while alkaline substances release hydroxide ions (OH- ions) when dissolved in water.
• Acids have a sour taste and a sticky texture, while alkaline substances have a bitter taste and a soapy or slippery texture.
• Acids can turn blue litmus paper red, indicating their acidic nature, while alkaline substances can turn red litmus paper blue, indicating their basic nature.

In summary, acids and alkaline substances have opposing chemical and physical properties due to their different pH values and the ions they release in aqueous solutions.