What is the difference between Alkaline and Acidic?

Traditionally, alkali is bitter to taste and also soapy to feel. A base can be simply defined as a proton acceptor. Alkali turns red litmus paper blue, and also most bases are insoluble in water. Alkali can be used in the production of soap, paper, fertilizers to neutralize the acidity of the soil, as a laxative to neutralize the acidity of the stomach. Acid, on the other hand, can be referred to as any substance that is sour to taste and is corrosive.

In the modern view, acid can be defined as an electron pair acceptor. There are mainly two types of acid, which are organic and inorganic acid. An aqueous solution of acid turns blue litmus paper to red; acid is strong electrolytes and also have a corrosive action which can lead to skin burn when it comes in contact with the skin.

If something is alkaline, it has a PH higher than 7.3, and objects are said to be alkali such as chemical elements like lithium, potassium, and sodium. Some lakes are high alkali because they have naturally occurring calcium carbonate and have a PH over 9. Alkali soils are not suitable for growing plants and vegetables, as they prefer more acidic soil with a PH in the middle of 6.0 and 6.8.

The word Acidic is mostly directed to foods and the human body. If your body is too acidic, you will feel tired, depressed, irritable, foggy, and a myriad of other symptoms. Your body should be a healthy balanced environment that would not be too acidic and not overly alkaline. The human PH should be between 7.0 and 7.4.

Acid and Alkaline are both groups of atoms bonded together and representing the smallest unit of a chemical compound that can be active in a chemical reaction. A striking difference between a change in PH sets in when both are present in aqueous solutions. Acids have a pH value of less than seven, while alkaline has a pH value higher than 7. Also, acids are known to discharge Hydrogen ions to other compounds, basically alkaline. Alkaline, on the other hand, gives out Hydroxide ions during a chemical reaction.

In addition, Acids are known to donate protons, while alkaline is protons accepting substances. Chemical compounds for most acids start with H as in cases like Nitric acid (HNO3) Carbonic acid (H2CO3) and so on except for few cases like acetic acid (CH3COOH). Alkaline, on the other hand, commonly has OH at the end. (E.g. slake lime or calcium Hydroxide: Ca(OH)2, salt: NAOH, potassium Hydroxide: KOH, etc).