What is the difference between an acid and a base?
GRAP Stage 3 entails a ban on non-essential construction work. Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available. Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is rRead more
GRAP Stage 3 entails a ban on non-essential construction work. Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available.
Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt.
Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi. The Stage 3 of GRAP was lifted on December 27 after a marked improvement in Delhi’s air quality following day-long rainfall in the national capital.
Throughout 2024, Delhi recorded the highest number of ‘severe’ AQI days since 2022, with 17 days exceeding an AQI of 400. Additionally, 70 days were classified as ‘very poor’. Not a single ‘good’ air quality day was recorded in 2024, a first since 2018.
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Imagine acids and bases as two characters in a story, each with distinct personalities and behaviors, creating balance in the world of chemistry. Here’s how they differ: The Sour and the Bitter Acids are the sour ones in the group. They are tangy, bold, and unmistakable, much like the zing of lemonRead more
Imagine acids and bases as two characters in a story, each with distinct personalities and behaviors, creating balance in the world of chemistry. Here’s how they differ:
The Sour and the Bitter
Acids are the sour ones in the group. They are tangy, bold, and unmistakable, much like the zing of lemon juice or the tartness of vinegar. Their sourness comes from their ability to release hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water. This abundance of protons makes them aggressive in chemical reactions, eager to donate their hydrogen ions to bond with others. Bases, on the other hand, are the bitter characters—smooth and soothing, often found in the gentle feel of soap or the alkaline bite of baking soda. They accept hydrogen ions, often releasing hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in water, acting like a counterbalance to the acids’ fiery nature.
The Colors of Their Mood
In the chemistry world, acids and bases reveal their personalities through colors when they meet indicators like litmus paper. Acids turn blue litmus red, showing their vibrant and bold presence. Bases, ever the calm and composed, turn red litmus blue, a cooling response that complements the acids’ fiery display. This color-changing dance highlights their differences while showcasing their interconnected roles.
Reacting to the World
Acids and bases also react differently with the world around them. Acids are active with metals, fizzing and bubbling as they release hydrogen gas, a sign of their reactive energy. Bases, although less flashy, are powerful in their own right, neutralizing acids with ease to form water and salt, like a calm mediator restoring harmony.
The pH Playground
Picture a playground called the pH scale, ranging from 0 to 14, where these two characters play. Acids take the lower numbers, from 0 to 6, claiming the space with their strong, sour personalities. Bases dominate the upper range, from 8 to 14, bringing a sense of balance with their bitter and slippery nature. At the center, pH 7 is neutral ground—water—a place where neither dominates, symbolizing perfect harmony.
Acids and bases may seem like opposites, but their interplay creates balance in both chemistry and life. Whether sour or bitter, reactive or soothing, they remind us that contrast and interaction are essential to the world around us.
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