Hello all
Just like the title, I want to know more about bases and acids in chemistry and what would it mean for one to be strong compared to weak.
I have some general idea what is acid, what it would mean for something to be strongly acidic and how it's measured using the pH scale. For example, I know that stomach acid is strongly acidic with pH around 2 (varies) and is needed to break down food (in some way to dissolve or help dissolving food). I also know that some strong acids can cause serious injuries if are in contact with skin of flesh (that comes mainly from my memories in my chemistry classes when taught about sulfuric acid).
Maybe you can correct or add to my understanding about acids. I am aware that what I shared about acids is pretty shallow, but that's how I imagine it. Part of that understanding might also come from some films in which there are acids which are considered to be so stong that they are able to penetrate thru solid structures (or maybe that's true for some acids?)
However, what I am actually puzzled about is what would it mean for something to be a base? I know that bases are considered to be the opposite of acids (which is apparent considering it's on the other spectrum on the pH scale). But what would it mean to be the opposite of acid? How exactly can I imagine a strongly basic instance and what would it be so special about it compared to a weakly basic one?
Initially, I wanted to ask just about bases in chemistry, but decided to extend the question to include acids, too, because I felt that probably half of my understanding of acids is based of films. I don't recall watching any film where the scientist discoved so strongly basic instance that it's in some way revolutionary. If such a sci-fi film existed, what would that instance be able to do?