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What Are Neutrals in Chemistry?

When chemists speak of "neutrals," they are typically referring to a class of compound substances (substances made up of two or more elements) that are neither acids nor bases. Acidity is measured on the pH scale which rates these compounds from acidic (below 7) to basic (above 7). Neutrals have a pH value of 7.

The Litmus Test
- The litmus test is used by chemists to determine the pH value of a substance. Litmus is a mixture of dyes absorbed onto a strip of paper. The dyes turn colors when exposed to acids or bases. Specifically, red litmus paper turns blue when exposed to bases, and blue litmus paper turns red when exposed to acids. A neutral substance causes no change to blue or red litmus paper.
Acids
- Citrus fruits contain mild acids.
  
  Acids are substances with a pH between 1 and 6.9. They are corrosive, and are often found in everyday cleaning products, especially those to clean metal. They can be more or less harmful to tissue, depending on the relative pH value. Many foods are acidic, such as citrus fruits. In a process called "neutralization," acids react with bases to form a neutral and water.
Bases
- Bases in the pH range of 8-9 are often found in soaps.
  
  Bases are substances with a pH between 7.1 and 14. As with acids, the relative strength of the base makes it more or less harmful to tissue. In the higher pH ranges, bases can burn tissue and cause noxious fumes such as those given off by ammonia. Bases in the lower pH ranges are often found in everyday items such as soaps, window cleaners and stomach antacids. Bases neutralize acids to form a neutral and water.
Neutrals
- Table salt is the most common neutral used in day-to-day life.
  
  Compound substances that are neither acidic nor basic are called neutrals and have a pH of 7; they are also referred to as salts. Water is a neutral, since it is neither acid nor base. The human body has an average pH of 7. Salts (or neutrals) are found in many everyday items, the most common being table salt (sodium chloride).

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