What substances are called bases? Give examples that characterize and their chemical properties.

Bases are substances that are slippery, change litmus blue and become less common when mixed with acids. Bases are substances that dissolve in water to release hydroxide ions (OH-) into solution. For example, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a typical base. Bases can take protons from acids to make water. The acid neutralization reaction with a base will always produce water and salt. Sodium hydroxide is a well-known strong base and is used to make soap and to clean up drains by flushing the soap out of the grease that clogs the drain.