how to determine if something is an acid or base

[905084274]

How can you easily identify is something is going to work as an acid or a base in an aqueous solution. For example, in hw 12.55 6th edition, CH3COOH serves as an acid, but it has an OH group, so I would think it would work as a base....Will it be more clear to identify on the test?

[Adam Vuilleumier 2K]

A good way to tell if something is an acid or base (if you're not familiar with the molecule already) is to draw a Lewis structure. Then, you can see if there is a free hydrogen that can be donated, or a free lone pair that can take up a hydrogen.

[Elizabeth Gallmeister 1A]

Another way to figure it out is to see what the problem gives you, or other information that you can get from supplemental tables etc. You're usually given either a pH that implies that it's a base or acid, or there will be a given Ka or Kb which will also show you which it is.

[Ray Guo 4C]

A base tends to take on a proton, so having an OH group does not make it a base. You can try to memorize the names and formulae of common acids and bases. They are listed somewhere in the Fundamentals part of the book if you are using the 7th edition.

[yuetao4k]

There is a list of common acids/bases that you could take a look at which could help you determine if a compound is an acid or base. You can also look at the pH if it is given, and that is a clear indicator of which one it is.