Which is characteristic of a base?
reacts with carbonates
tastes bitter
turns blue litmus paper red
corrodes metals
The characteristic of a base among the options provided is that it turns blue litmus paper red.
To determine the characteristic of a base, you need to understand the properties of bases. Bases are substances that have a pH greater than 7 and can accept protons (H+ ions). Here's how you can differentiate between acids and bases using the options given:
- Reacts with carbonates: This describes the reaction of a substance with carbonates, which can apply to both acids and bases. For example, acids produce carbon dioxide gas when they react with carbonates. Therefore, this property alone cannot specifically identify a base.
- Tastes bitter: While some bases do have a bitter taste, tasting substances to determine their properties is not a safe or recommended method as some toxic substances may also taste bitter. Therefore, taste is not a reliable way to identify a base.
- Turns blue litmus paper red: This property specifically applies to bases. Litmus paper is a pH indicator that turns red in the presence of an acid and blue in the presence of a base. Therefore, if a substance turns blue litmus paper red, it indicates the presence of a base.
- Corrodes metals: Corrosion of metals can occur with both acids and bases, although the specific reactions may differ. Therefore, this property alone is not a conclusive characteristic of bases.
In conclusion, out of the given options, the characteristic that specifically identifies a base is that it turns blue litmus paper red.