Question

comparing the properties of acids and bases
warm-up
sort each characteristic according to whether it describes acids, bases, or both.
react with metals
acids
both
bases
react with nonmetals
taste sour
can cause burns
conduct electricity
taste bitter

Explanation:

• Acids: Acids react with metals (e.g., \(Zn + 2HCl=ZnCl_{2}+H_{2}\uparrow\)), taste sour (due to the presence of hydrogen ions that interact with taste receptors), and can cause burns (strong acids are corrosive).
• Both: Both acids and bases can cause burns (strong bases are also corrosive) and conduct electricity (because they dissociate into ions in solution, which are charge - carriers).
• Bases: Bases taste bitter (due to the way they interact with taste receptors) and do not react with non - metals in the same characteristic way as acids react with metals.

Answer:

• Acids: react with metals, taste sour
• Both: can cause burns, conduct electricity
• Bases: taste bitter