Understanding acids and bases is really important in chemistry! Let’s break down what they are and how they act.

Acids:

• Acids taste sour, just like lemon juice!
• They turn blue litmus paper red.
• When acids meet metals, they create hydrogen gas.
• In solutions, they release $H^+$ ions.

Bases:

• Bases taste bitter and feel slippery, kind of like soap.
• They turn red litmus paper blue.
• Bases can react with acids in a process called neutralization.
• In solutions, they release $OH^-$ ions.

Both acids and bases can change the pH scale. Acids have a pH below 7, while bases have a pH above 7.