Acids and alkalis

Acids:

- Contain Hydrogen ions (H+)

- In solutions of strong acids, all the molecules
become ions. In solutions of weak acids, only
some do.

e.g A Strong Acid will dissociate into its ions 100%

HCL (aq) -------- H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)

e.g A Weak Acid will not dissociate into its ion

therefore far les than 100% dissociation.
CH3COOH (aq)----------- 2H+ (aq) + CH2COO-

The higher the concentrations of Hydrogen ions, the

lower the pH.
Alkalis

- Solutions of Alkalis contain hydroxide ions

- In solutions of strong alkalis there will be greater
numbers of Hydroxide ions.

e.g a Strong Alkali

NaOH ----------- Na + OH-

Reactions with metal oxides and Hydroxides

Many metal hydroxides are insoluble in water but when

added to a dilute acid they will neutralize the acid.

e.g Copper (II) oxide + Sulphuric Acid ------ Copper

(II) sulphate + Water

CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) ------- CuSO4 + H20

Reactions with Carbonates and acids

Acids with Carbonates. When Calcium carbonate is added

to a dilute acid you will form a Metal Salt, Water and
Carbon Dioxide.

CaCO3 (s) + 2HCL(aq) -- CaCl2(aq) + H20 + CO2

Reactions with Acids and Metals

Magnesium (s) + Sulphuric Acid (aq)  Magneium

sulphate (s) + Hydrogen (g)

Mg + H2S04 -----------> MgSO4 + H2

Metal + Acid ---- Salt + Hydrogen

When a Metal reacts with an acid, hydrogen is displaced,

leaving salt in a solution. To remove the excess salt from
the solution above, we must filter off the excess
Magnesium and evaporate any remaining water.

The test for Hydrogen is …………

Reactions between Acids and Alkali (neutralization
reactions)

Bases are a group of compounds that react with and

neutralize acids, giving Salt and Water.

Alkalis are soluble bases. Bases include metal oxide ( e.g

Lithium oxide), Hydroxides and carbonates.

An example of acid + alkali reaction

HCl + NaOH --------- NaCl +H20

e.g a Weak Alkali

NH3 (aq) + H20 ----------- NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

The higher the concentrations of Hydroxide molecules the

more Alkaline the solution

Both Strong acids and strong alkalis are good conductors of

electricity due to their large numbers of free ions.