Final answer:
Bases have a bitter taste and slippery feel, change the color of certain indicators (litmus turns blue and phenolphthalein turns pink), do not typically react with metals, and react with acids to form salt and water. They are also electrolytes that can conduct electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Properties of Bases
Bases have distinctive properties that contrast with those of acids, which can be observed through taste, touch, indicators, and their reactions including electrical conductivity. While it is important to note that tasting or touching chemicals is not a safe practice and should be avoided, we can still discuss their properties in theory. Below are some characteristic properties of bases:
- Bases often have a bitter taste and feel slippery to the touch, like soap.
- Indicators like litmus and phenolphthalein change colors in the presence of bases. Litmus turns blue, while phenolphthalein turns pink.
- Unlike acids, bases typically do not react with metals.
- Bases can react with acids in a neutralization reaction to produce a salt and water.
- Aqueous solutions of bases are electrolytes, meaning they can conduct electricity, as they dissociate into ions in solution.
Common examples of bases include substances such as soap, toothpaste, bleach, cleaning agents, limewater, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide. When working with bases and indicators, always practice safety by using appropriate personal protective equipment and never directly taste or touch the chemicals.