Science Common Sense

1755 - How are acids and bases named?

Acids and bases have special names. Here's a simple way to understand them:

Acids: 1. If an acid starts with 'hydro-', its name comes from the anion (the negative ion) it's made from. Example: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) comes from chloride. 2. If an acid starts with a different name, its name usually comes from the element it's made from. Example: Sulfuric acid comes from sulfur.

Bases: 1. Bases are usually made with the suffix '-hydroxide'. Example: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).

Some examples:

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