Working with acids Acids usually must be mixed with water to dilute them and make them more usable. Although they dissolve in water, they also can react and bubble when mixed with water. Care must be taken when mixing strong acids and water, because if the mixture explodes, the acid can be sprayed all over. Uses for acids Acids are used in industry both to dissolve materials and to create new compounds. We drink very mild acids in our carbonated and fruit drinks.
Stomach acids are important to digest foods.
Bases Bases are chemical compounds that have a caustic action on plant and animal tissue. A common base is sodium hydroxide NaOH . It is also called lye and is the grease-cutting material in early forms of soap. Bases feel slippery to the skin, as can be experienced with soap. Sometimes a substance that is a base is called an alkali or alkaline .