Chemistry

Acids and Alkalis

Acid Alkali
Physical Properties - tastes sour - tastes bitter
- turns universal indicator red/orange - Dilute: feels slippery
- turns blue litmus paper red Concentrated: corrosive
- is an electrolyte - turns universal indicator blue/purple
- [H+(aq)] > [OH-(aq)] - turns red litmus paper blue
- is an electrolyte
- [H+(aq)] < [OH-(aq)]
Chemical Properties Neutralization
Acid+Alkali→salt+water
H (aq)+OH—(aq)→H2O(l) (ionic)
+

1. Action on metals 1. Action on metal ions—Precipitation reaction

Metal+acid→salt (metal chloride/metal sulphate/metal
nitrate)+hydrogen
2. Action on carbonate/hydrogencarbonate
Metal carbonate+acid→salt+carbon dioxide+water
Metal hydrogencarbonate+acid→salt+carbon
dioxide+water
3. Action on metal oxides/metal hydroxides
Metal oxide+acid→salt+water
Metal hydroxide+acid→salt+water
Exceptions: NaOH, Ba(OH)2+KOH
Solution containing metal ions+Aqueous solution of alkalis→metal hydroxide
(precipitate)+solution
e.g. MgSO4(aq)+2NaOH(aq)→Mg(OH)2(s)+Na2SO4(aq)
Metal ion+hydroxide ion→metal hydroxide (ionic)
e.g. Mg 2+(aq)+2OH -(aq)→Mg(OH)2(s)
White precipitate: Mg2+(aq), Zn2+(aq), Pb2+(aq), Al3+(aq)
Dirty green precipitate: Fe2+(aq)
Reddish brown precipitate: Fe3+(aq)
Blue precipitate: Cu2+(aq)
Redissolve in excess hydroxide solution: Zn(OH)2(aq), Pb(OH)2(aq),
Al(OH)3(aq) (又醒又叻就攞 A)
Redissolve in excess ammonia solution: Zn(OH)2(aq), Cu2+(aq) (醒少少就攞 C)
2. Action on ammonium compound (heating is required)
 Ammonium compound+alkali→ammonia+water+salt
e.g. 2NH4Cl(s)+Ca(OH)2(s)→2NH3(g)+2H2O(l)+CaCl2(s)
3. Action on non-metal oxides
Carbon dioxide+sodium hydroxide→sodium carbonate+water
**cannot serve as test for carbon dioxide since both NaOH and Na2CO3 are
soluble in water
Carbon dioxide+calcium hydroxide(limewater)→calcium carbonate(milky
insoluble precipitate)+water
+
Role of water H (aq) ions are responsible for typical properties of acids OH-(aq) ions are responsible for typical properties of alkalis

Upon adding into water, the acid molecules ionize to NaOH and KOH: ionic compound originally (OH- already present)
give H+(aq) ions Dissociation upon adding into water (ions become mobile)
NH3: covalent compound originally (a gas highly soluble in water)
Ionization (or dissociation) upon adding into water to give OH - ions
Basicity (number of H+ ions Monobasic: HCl, HNO3, HNO2, CH3COOH N.A.
produced by one acid Dibasic: H2SO4, H2SO3, H2CO3
molecule when dissolved in Tribasic: H3PO4
water)
Strength Strong HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 NaOH, KOH
(Extent of (complete e.g. H2SO4(s)→2H +(aq)+SO4(aq) e.g. NaOH(s)→Na+(aq)+OH -(aq)
ionizatio ionization;
n) irreversible→)
Weak (partial CH3COOH, H2SO3, H2CO3 NH3
ionization; e.g. CH3COOH(s) -
CH3COO (aq)+H (aq)+
e.g. NH3(aq)+H2O(l) NH4+(aq)+OH -(aq)
reversable )
Corrosive nature Con HCl: high acidity (High [H+])
Con H2SO4: dehydrating property and oxidizing property
Con HNO3: Oxidizing property
 Reason for storage in brown bottle: high volatility (may
decompose by light to give brown nitrogen dioxide gas)
Indicators Litmus Red Blue
Methyl orange Red Yellow
Phenolphthalein Colourless Red