Question

A first aid manual suggests that vinegar must be used to treat wasp sting and baking soda for bee stings.
(a) What does this information tell you about the chemical nature of wasp stings?
(b) If there was no baking soda in the house, what other household substance could you use to treat bee stings?

Answer 1

(a) The chemical present in the sting must be base because vinegar (acetic acid) is used to heal or neutralize the effect of wasp stings.
(b) Since bee stings are treated by baking soda which is a base it means they must contain some acid. If baking soda is not available in the house then solution of ammonium hydroxide $N{H}_{4}OH$ can be used for the same purpose.