Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Practice Test

Which of the following is a property of acids?

1. Bitter taste

2. Red litmus paper turns blue

3. React with metals to form hydrogen gas

4. Release hydroxide ions in solution

The correct answer is: React with metals to form hydrogen gas

Acids are known by their distinct sour taste, meaning the first option cannot be the correct answer. The last two options (D and C) may seem similar but they actually describe different properties. Acids release hydronium ions, not hydroxide ions as stated in option D. Therefore, the correct answer is option C - acids react with metals to form hydrogen gas. This reaction with metals is commonly used to identify the presence of an acid in a substance. Red litmus paper turns blue when in contact with bases, not acids, so option B is also incorrect.