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Acids, bases and salts - (CCEA)Acids, bases and salts

Many chemicals are acidic, neutral or alkaline. We can distinguish one from another using indicators. Acidity and alkalinity are measured on the pH scale. A salt is formed when an acid is neutralised by an alkali.

Part of Combined ScienceStructures, trends, chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry and analysis

Acids, bases and salts

Indicators

An is a chemical that changes colour in , and solutions. Some common indicators include red litmus paper and blue litmus paper.

IndicatorAcidicNeutralAlkaline
Red litmus paperredredblue
Blue litmus paperredblueblue
IndicatorRed litmus paper
Acidicred
Neutralred
Alkalineblue
IndicatorBlue litmus paper
Acidicred
Neutralblue
Alkalineblue
Blue litmus paper is dipped in a beaker of acid and turns red.
Image caption,
Blue litmus paper changes to red in acids
Red litmus paper changes to blue in alkalis.
Image caption,
Red litmus paper changes to blue in alkalis