Final answer:
Bases react with acids to form water and a salt, turn red litmus paper blue and phenolphthalein pink, and release ammonia gas when reacting with ammonium salts. They do not react with metals like acids do.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristic Properties of Bases
Bases exhibit a set of characteristic properties in their reactions with acids, impacts on indicators like litmus and methyl orange, and interactions with ammonium salts. One of the fundamental behaviors of bases is their ability to react with acids in a process known as neutralization, where they combine to form water and a salt. This reaction is essential in various applications, from industrial manufacturing to medicine.
When it comes to indicators, bases have a distinct effect: they turn red litmus paper blue and cause phenolphthalein to change its color to pink. These color changes are due to the alteration in the indicator's chemical structure when exposed to a basic environment. Unlike acids, bases do not exhibit a reaction with metals, showing no production of hydrogen gas which is a typical characteristic of acid-metal reactions.
Bases also interact with ammonium salts, leading to the release of ammonia gas. This reaction is utilized in various chemical analyses to identify the presence of ammonium ions. Common household items such as soap, toothpaste, and cleaning agents are examples of bases that we encounter routinely. These substances typically feel slippery to the touch and are often used to neutralize acids, as in the case of antacids that treat excess stomach acid.