Final answer:
Acids have properties such as turning litmus red, tasting sour, and reacting with active metals to produce hydrogen gas. They also react with carbonates to release carbon dioxide and can neutralize bases in acid-base reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acids exhibit characteristic properties in their reactions with metals, bases, and carbonates. They are known to turn litmus red, indicating their acidic nature and have a distinct sour taste as found in lemons and vinegar. When acids react with metals, especially those that are more active than hydrogen in the activity series, they tend to produce a salt and hydrogen gas. A classic example is the reaction of zinc with hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.
Furthermore, acids can react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to produce carbon dioxide gas, which is evident in the reaction between hydrochloric acid and calcium carbonate.
In acid-base reactions, acids can neutralize bases, which was an important concept developed by pioneers such as Humphry Davy and Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac. Acids, like acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin and the acetic acid in vinegar, are prevalent in many substances we encounter daily, from pharmaceuticals to household items.