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submitted 11 months ago by ReallyKinda@kbin.social to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

Google is not helpful.

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[-] girl@lemm.ee 25 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yes! Earwax is slightly acidic (~6.1 pH) while acetic acid is more acidic (5% vinegar is ~2.5 pH) so the earwax acts as a base in this reaction.

ETA: there may be other things it is reacting with as well, like leftover soap, but this is how acid base reactions work. A chemical does not need to be above pH of 7 to act as a base. The more acidic compound will give its extra hydrogen to the less acidic compound.

[-] xkforce@lemmy.world 23 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)
  1. Something being less acidic does not mean that it acts like a base

  2. Bubbling occurs as a result of the production of a gas not as a result of an acid/base reaction in of itself. Baking soda and vinegar react to form CO2 (a gas) water and Sodium Acetate. The CO2 that is produced in that reaction is what causes bubbles NOT the acid/base reaction. eg. if you reacted Sodium Hydroxide and vinegar you will not observe bubbling because there is no gas being produced.

  3. Ear wax should not contain anything that should bubble as a result of the introduction of an acid.

Either what OP is observing isnt actually bubbling or there is something in their ear that shouldnt be.

[-] tyrefyre@sh.itjust.works 15 points 11 months ago

“There’s something in the ear that shouldn’t be”

I would suggest that that something is vinegar.

[-] JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca 2 points 11 months ago
[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 8 points 11 months ago

Please unlearn this. This is wrong.

this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2024
59 points (90.4% liked)

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