Final answer:
Sulfuric acid is used in automobile batteries and it acts as an electrolyte to allow the flow of electrons. In our bodies, acids and bases maintain pH balance and facilitate biochemical reactions. Acid rain can cause damage to buildings, vegetation, and ecosystems. Water is a substance that is neither an acid nor a base. The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. Litmus paper is used to determine if a compound is an acid or base.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acid used in automobile batteries is sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The sulfuric acid acts as an electrolyte, which allows the flow of electrons between the battery's positive and negative terminals. When the battery discharges, chemical reactions occur that convert the sulfuric acid into lead sulfate and water.
In our bodies, acids and bases play important roles in maintaining pH balance and facilitating various biochemical reactions. For example, the stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) to help digest food, while bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) act as a base to neutralize excess acid in the blood.
Acid rain is harmful because it contains high levels of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3). These acids can damage buildings, vegetation, and aquatic ecosystems.
A substance that is neither an acid nor a base is water (H2O). Water is considered neutral because it has an equal number of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. The lower the pH, the higher the hydrogen ion concentration and the more acidic the solution.
Litmus paper is a pH indicator used to determine if a compound is an acid or base. It changes color depending on the pH of the solution. If the strip turns red, it indicates an acid. If it turns blue, it indicates a base.
In addition to litmus paper, other devices that can determine an accurate measurement of pH include pH meters and pH strips that provide a more precise numerical value for the pH of a solution.