Acetic acid is an organic acid and a byproduct of sugar fermentation. It’s also known by other names, including ethanoic acid, ethylic acid, and methane carboxylic acid. Acetic acid is primarily produced by a group of Gram-negative bacteria called acetic acid bacteria (AAB). They produce acetic acid as metabolic waste from fermenting sugar or ethanol. Our bodies also make small...
Chemistry studies phenomena that can be precisely represented in mathematical forms and demonstrated in practical ways. For example, you can calculate the reactions between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid using the respective molar masses of the acidic and basic solutions. You can then use these calculations to obtain precise amounts of products. Like other physical sciences, chemistry is anchored on...
Acid-base reactions are known as neutralisation reactions. They’re characterised by the formation of salts and water, which typically have neutral pH levels. The final products of a neutralisation reaction between an acid and a base may have a non-neutral pH level if the reactants aren’t balanced. If there’s excess acid, the solution will be acidic. Conversely, if there’s excess base,...
Alkali chemicals contain alkali metals. Alkali compounds are water-soluble compounds that are hydroxides of alkali metals, like sodium hydroxide or NaOH. Alkalis are highly corrosive to organic compounds because they can easily break the bonds between carbon chains and their functional groups. They can denature and dissolve proteins and start the saponification process, or breakdown, of fats. Alkalis can also refer...
