Question

Is lime juice acid or base?

Answer 1

Hint: We need to understand the concept of acid and base and conclude whether lime juice is an acid or base. Both acids and bases have certain characteristics which distinguish between the two. These characteristics can be changes in the color of litmus, distinct taste, the pH of their solution, etc.

Complete Answer:
Acids have long been recognized as a separate class of chemicals with the following characteristics in aqueous solutions:
A distinct sour flavor.
The color of litmus is changed from blue to red.
When it comes into contact with certain metals, it produces gaseous \[{H_2}\].
When it comes into contact with bases, it forms salt and water.
Acidic solutions have a pH less than 7, with lower pH values indicating more acidity. Acids include acetic acid (found in vinegar), sulfuric acid (found in car batteries), and tartaric acid (used in baking).
Bases have long been recognized as a separate class of chemicals with the following characteristics in aqueous solutions:
A distinct bitter flavor.
The color of litmus is changed from red to blue.
When it comes into contact with acids, it forms salt and water.
Basic solutions have a pH of more than 7, with higher pH values indicating more basicity. Bases include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc
Citric acid is the most well-known of the acid family; it's an organic acid found in large amounts in both limes and lemons. Citric acid is abundant in lemons and limes. This implies they are acidic in comparison to many other meals. The citric acid concentration in lemons and limes is relatively comparable, with lemons having slightly higher on average.
Hence, lime juice has an acidic pH because they contain a significant quantity of citric acid.

Note:
It must be noted that there are different definitions of both acids and bases. In the Brnsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that gives protons or receives a pair of valence electrons to create a bond (in the Lewis definition). To establish a bond, a base can receive protons or contribute a pair of valence electrons.