Acids and bases are essential components of the natural world that play key roles in medicine and industry. They are used in the manufacturing of everyday items such as carbonated soft drinks, salad dressing, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, and fertilizers. But these compounds can also have a dramatic impact, such as in the sulfuric acid clouds of Venus and in grave wax, a basic substance in soil that mummifies animal and human bodies. The informative ""Acids and Bases"" takes a closer look at these fascinating, yet contrasting, substances, giving concrete, real world examples with numerous colorful illustrations.