Question

How do all bases feel?

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that the bases react with the fat layer under the skin and if it is not washed off from the skin it will lead to the formation of blisters on the skin and we also know that bases can be neutralised by acids.

Complete answer:
As we know that bases are those substances which are slippery in touch, bitter in taste and generally change the red litmus paper into blue thereby acting as an indicator of colour and pH. It reacts with the hydrogen ions present in an acid and results in salt formation, hence neutralises the acid. Most bases include the oxides, hydroxides as well as carbonates of metal and are soluble in nature which are called alkali like sodium hydroxide.

It is similar to soap formation where the bases like sodium or potassium hydroxide react with fats and result in soap formation which is commonly known as saponification. Now, if we get any base on our skin like soap it feels slippery or soapy and if it is not washed off from the skin we might get blisters formed. This is because some strong bases can burn the skin as they react with the acidic molecules present in our skin which are normally called fatty acids. Therefore, from the above explanation we can say that all the bases feel slippery and slimy and are bitter in taste.

Note: Always remember that a base releases negative hydroxide ions and acids releases positive hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution. They possess high pH values and normally a basic solution is bitter in taste and feels slippery or soapy or slimy. Acids are opposite of bases and normally bubble in solution.