what is an acid and a base
In short, an acid is a compound that can give up a hydrogen ion (a proton, H+) in solution. A base is a compound that can accept a proton. If you're looking at chemical equations, the acid will be the compound with more hydrogen atoms.Usually, an acid is positively charged.n short, an acid is a compound that can give up a hydrogen ion (a proton, H+) in solution. A base is a compound that can accept a proton. If you're looking at chemical equations, the acid will be the compound with more hydrogen atoms.
An acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions. Because of this, when an acid is dissolved in water, the balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is shifted. Now there are more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions in the solution.This kind of solution is acidic.A base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions.When a base is dissolved in water, the balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions shifts the opposite way. Because the base soaks up hydrogen ions, the result is a solution with more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. This kind of solution is alkaline.ecause of this, when an acid is dissolved in water, the balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is shifted. Now there are more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions in the solution. This kind of solution is acidic. A base is a substance that accepts hydrogen ions.