What is a base in chemistry?

According to Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D of About: Chemistry, bases are the chemical opposite of acids. Bases react with acids to form salts and water.

Bases are substances that act as the opposite of acids; if acids are proton donors, bases are proton acceptors; if acids are electron pair acceptors, then bases are electron pair donors, etcetera. A reaction between a base and an acid is called neutralization, in which two liquid solutions (one base and one acid) combine and react to create a solution of salt and water.

Properties of bases include:

• Bitter taste
• Slippery to the touch
• Change the color of indicators
• Conduct electric current in liquid solution form

Common bases include detergents, soap, lye and household ammonia.