Final answer:
Statement 3 is correct; acids taste sour and produce hydrogen ions (H+) in water, while bases taste bitter and produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in water. Acids turn blue litmus paper red and bases turn red litmus paper blue, with bases also feeling slippery to the touch.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the statements given, the correct one is that acids taste sour and produce hydrogen ions (H+) in water, while bases taste bitter and produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in water. Therefore, the accurate difference is captured in statement 3: Bases taste bitter and produce hydroxide ions in water, while acids taste sour and produce hydrogen ions in water.
In more detail, acids and bases are classified by their observable properties and their reactions in solution. Acids like vinegar or lemon juice taste sour because of the presence of substances such as citric acid, and they turn blue litmus paper red. When dissolved in water, they release hydrogen ions, creating an acidic solution. Conversely, bases often have a bitter taste, feel slippery, and turn red litmus paper blue. Common bases include baking soda and soap. When dissolved in water, they release hydroxide ions, leading to a basic solution with a pH higher than 7.
The definitions of acids and bases have evolved beyond the traditional notions of taste and reactivity. The Arrhenius definition focuses on the production of hydrogen and hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions, the Brønsted-Lowry theory defines acids and bases in terms of proton donation and acceptance, and the Lewis theory describes them regarding electron pair donation and acceptance.