What Is an Acid
Part of the Acids and Bases section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 1 of 30.
An acid is a substance that hands H⁺ ions to water when it dissolves. The water becomes the hydronium ion, H₃O⁺.
HCl(g) + H₂O(l) → H₃O⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq)
An acidic solution has more H₃O⁺ than pure water. HCl gives one H⁺ a molecule; H₂SO₄ can give two:
H₂SO₄ + 2H₂O → 2H₃O⁺ + SO₄²⁻
Hydrochloric acid in water
Challenge
Sulfuric acid is the acid in car batteries. In water, each H₂SO₄ gives both of its hydrogen ions to water molecules. Balance the equation.
Try it yourself
Equation balancerBalance the equation
H2SO4H2OH3O+SO42−
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Acids and Bases
1Acids and Bases
What Is an AcidWhat Is a BaseProton TransferConjugate PairsWater as Acid and BaseRecap - Proton Swap