Common Acids and Bases
Some common acids and bases are listed in the following tables.
| Acid | Formula | Strength | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrochloric acid | HCI | Strong | Helps the stomach digest food; used in processing of steel and production of batteries |
| Sulfuric acid | H2SO4 | Strong | Used in industries to manufacture phosphoric acids |
| Nitric acid | HNO3 | Strong | Used in industries to produce fertilizers and to extract gold from other metals |
| Acetic acid | CH3COOH | Weak | Used as Preservative in preparing pickles |
| Formic acid | HCOOH | Weak | Used as an antibacterial agent in livestock feeds |
| Citric acid | C6H8O7 | Weak | Used as natural preservative and flavoring agent for food |
| Base | Formula | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium hydroxide | NaOH | Used for removing grease and cleaning bottles in soda drink production |
| Calcium hydroxide | Ca(OH)2 | Used to neutralize soil acidity |
| Magnesium oxide | MgO | Used in antacids |
| Calcium carbonate | CaCO3 | Used in farms and gardens |
| Sodium bicarbonate | NaHCO3 | Used in antacids and baking powder |
| Ammonia | NH3 | Used as a cleaning agent |
