Last Updated: 8 May 2026Verified for JEE 2027
ChemistryJEE & NEET
Difference Between Acid and Base
Acids and bases are two fundamental classes of chemical compounds. Acids donate protons (H⁺), while bases accept protons. Their reactions are central to chemistry.
Acid vs Base — Comparison Table
| Aspect | Acid | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Arrhenius | Produces H⁺ in water | Produces OH⁻ in water |
| Brønsted-Lowry | Proton (H⁺) donor | Proton (H⁺) acceptor |
| Lewis | Electron pair acceptor | Electron pair donor |
| pH | < 7 | > 7 |
| Taste | Sour | Bitter |
| Litmus | Turns blue → red | Turns red → blue |
| Example | HCl, H₂SO₄, CH₃COOH | NaOH, KOH, NH₃ |
Key Points to Remember
pH scale: 0 (strongly acidic) → 7 (neutral) → 14 (strongly basic)
Acid + Base → Salt + Water (neutralization)
Buffer solutions resist pH changes (weak acid + conjugate base)
Ka × Kb = Kw = 10⁻¹⁴ at 25°C
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