There are many different types of acids. Acids taste sour, turn blue litmus paper pink and have a pH pf less 7.
Some acids are very corrosive like sulfuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. These acids can cause damage to the skin, eyes and clothing. They also vigorously react with active metals such as magnesium, zinc and iron producing hydrogen gas and salts
Some acids are very weak like the organic food acids. Acetic acid or vinegar, citric acid and malonic acid are all used in cooking. Lactic acid is found in yogurt and sour cream.
Some common acids are their uses.
| Name of acid | Chemical formula of acid | Uses of acid |
| Sulfuric acid | H2SO4 | Used in car batteries |
| Hydrochloric acid | HCl | Also called muriatic acid. Used to lower the pH of swimming pools and to clean the cement off bricks. Found naturally in the stomach. |
| Nitric acid | HNO3 | Used to make ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Also used to make explosives like trinitrotoluene (TNT) and nitroglycerine which is the explosive ingredient in dynamite. |
| Acetic acid or vinegar | CH3COOH | Used in cooking and as a condiment for flavor. |
|
Citric acid or 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid |
![]() |
Found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. Used in cooking and as as a food flavoring ingredient. |