How do bases react differently from acids?

Bases react differently from acids as they accept protons, rather than donating them, and have a pH greater than 7.

In more detail, the fundamental difference between acids and bases lies in the way they react in aqueous solutions. Acids are substances that donate protons (hydrogen ions, H+) when they dissolve in water. This is due to the polar nature of the water molecule, which allows it to pull apart the acid molecule and release the hydrogen ions. This process is known as ionisation. The strength of an acid is determined by the extent to which it ionises in water. Strong acids, like hydrochloric acid, ionise completely, while weak acids, like ethanoic acid, only partially ionise.

On the other hand, bases are substances that accept protons (H+) in aqueous solutions. They do this by providing a pair of electrons to form a bond with the hydrogen ion. This process is known as protonation. Bases that are soluble in water are called alkalis. Alkalis, like sodium hydroxide, dissociate in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-). The concentration of these hydroxide ions determines the pH of the solution, with a higher concentration resulting in a higher pH.

The pH scale is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Acids have a pH less than 7, while bases have a pH greater than 7. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each unit represents a tenfold difference in acidity or alkalinity. For example, a solution with a pH of 3 is ten times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 4.

In summary, the key difference between acids and bases is their behaviour in aqueous solutions. Acids donate protons, resulting in a pH less than 7, while bases accept protons, resulting in a pH greater than 7.