Happoemäs

Happoemäs refers to acid-base chemistry in Finnish; the concept covers acids and bases and their interactions. In broad terms, it studies how substances donate or accept protons and how proton transfer and related electron-pair interactions determine the properties of solutions.

Several definitions are used: Arrhenius defines acids as substances that increase H+ concentration in water and bases as substances that increase OH-. Bronsted-Lowry defines acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors, broadening applicability beyond aqueous solutions. Lewis extends this further to electron-pair acceptors and donors, encompassing many reactions.

Key ideas include pH and pOH, pKa and pKb, and the strength concept: strong acids and bases dissociate completely in water, while weak ones do not. Neutralization reactions produce a salt and water in aqueous solutions. Buffers resist pH changes by balancing a weak acid with its conjugate base or a weak base with its conjugate acid.

Common laboratory examples include HCl reacting with NaOH to form NaCl and H2O. Acid-base titrations determine concentrations, and indicators signal endpoints. Applications span chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental science, and industry, where maintaining a stable pH is essential.

Handling acids and bases requires appropriate safety measures due to their corrosivity and reactivity.