Compounds such as alcohol and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorized as acids. Why? Describe an activity to prove it.

(i) Take solution of dilute hydrochloric solution and glucose.

(ii) Two nails are fitted on a cork, and are placed it in a 100mL beaker.

(iii) Then nails are connected to the two terminals of a 6-volt battery through a bulb and a switch as shown in the figure.

(iv) Dilute HCl is poured in the beaker and current is switched on.

(v) Same experiment is performed with glucose solution.

(vi) It will be observed that the bulb glows in HCl solution and does not glow in the glucose solution.

HCl dissociate into H + (aq) and Cl -(aq) ions which are responsible for conducting electricity. On the other hand, the glucose solution does not dissociate into ions. Therefore, it does not conduct electricity.

Conclusion: From this activity, it can be concluded that all acids contain hydrogen but not all compounds containing hydrogen are acids.

That’s why, though compounds like glucose and alcohol contain hydrogen, they are not categorized as acids.