Acids Around You

You use a lot of chemicals that are actually acids. Here is a list of some of them, along with their chemical names:

• Vinegar is acetic acid, usually about 4-8% in water. Its formula is C₂H₄O₂, with two carbons (C), four hydrogens (H), and two oxygens (O).
• Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges, contain a lot of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, C₆H₈O₆) and citric acid (C₆H₈O₇).
• There is formic acid (CH₂O₂) in bee venom, but this isn't what makes bee stings painful.
• Salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃) is found in many skin care products. A closely related chemical, acetylsalicylic acid (C₉H₈O₄) is more commonly known as aspirin!
• Lactic acid (C₇H₆O₃), or milk acid, is particularly concentrated in sour dairy products like yogurt and sour cream.
• Grapes and wine contain tartaric acid (C₄H₆O₆).
• Tannic acid (C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆) is found in wood, especially oak and walnut. From the big numbers of carbons, hydrogens, and oxygens, you can tell that this is a huge molecule!
• Uric acid (C₅H₄N₄O₃) also contains 4 nitrogens (N). It is found in urine.
• Your stomach holds some hydrochloric acid (HCl), which helps you digest the food you eat.
• Boric acid (H₃BO₃) has hydrogen, boron (B), and oxygen. It is used to kill bugs, particularly cockroaches.

What do all of these acids have in common? Look over the list of formulas, and see if you can tell which type of atom (C, H, O, N, Cl, or B) can be found in every acid listed. In fact, this chemical element is found in every kind of acid!