Acids, bases and alkalis a short summary

The short summary below is the absolutely essential information to remember that defines an acid, base and alkalis. 

All bases neutralise acids, meaning all bases accept hydrogen atoms but that hydrogen atom must be just a hydrogen proton (H⁺ ion).

Drop a base in an acid and it will neutralise it. 

Acid + base = salt + water.

A base that can also dissolve in water is called an alkali but this mixture will also then neutralise acids (not all bases can dissolve in water). 

Think of an acid as a substance in water that has dissociated or let it's hydrogen atom roam freely. This hydrogen atom has a proton but no electron and no neutron. The acid wants to donate or give away it's hydrogen ion (H⁺ or hydrogen proton) to another substance, a base.

ACIDS GIVE H⁺ IONS

BASES ACCEPT H⁺ IONS