The Chemistry Book

Properties of Acids

1. Tastes sour;
2. Reach with certain metals (Zn, Fe, etc.) to produce hydrogen gas;
3. Cause certain organic dyes to change color;
4. React with limestone (CaCO₃) to produce carbon dioxide;
5. React with bases to form salts and water.

Properties of Bases

1. a bitter taste;
2. a "soapy" feeling when applied to the skin;
3. ability to restore the original blue color of litmus that has been turned red by acids;
4. ability to react with acids to form salts.

Further Reading

Acid Base Tutorial
Observable Properties of Acids and Bases
Acid Base Physiology
Properties of Bases
Early Base Theories