SHARJAH INDIAN SCHOOL, JUWAIZA

CHEMISTRY

Acids, bases and salts

Indicators: Indicators are organic dyes which change odour or colour in acidic or
basic medium and indicate the nature of the solution (acidic, basic or neutral)

Types of indicators:
1. Natural indicators: They are coloured organic substances extracted from plants
which change their colour in acidic and basic medium. Examples: Litmus solution (a
purple dye extracted from a plant called lichen), Red cabbage juice, Turmeric juice,
extract from the coloured petals of petunia, geranium, hydrangea.
2. Synthetic indicators: These are chemical substances which change their colour in
acidic and basic medium. Examples: methyl orange, phenolphthalein
3. Olfactory indicators: These are organic substances which give different smell in
acidic and basic solution. Examples: clove oil, onion, vanilla essence.
Onion/Vanilla Smells in acidic Smells in neutral Odour disappears in
solution solution basic solution
Indicators with characteristic colour change
Indicator Colour in acidic Colour in neutral Colour in basic
solution solution solution
Litmus Red Purple Blue
Phenolphthalein Colourless Colourless Pink
Methyl orange Red Orange Yellow
Red cabbage juice Red/pink Purple Green
Turmeric Yellow Yellow Reddish/ deep brown
Beetroot juice Red Red Yellow
Acids:
+ +
An acid is a substance which releases one or more hydronium ions (H3O ) or H in
aqueous solution.
+ -
HCl + H2O → H3O + Cl
 So an acid contains one or more replaceable hydrogen atoms.
HCl – Hydrochloric
acid H2 SO4 - Sulphuric
acid HNO3- Nitric acid
CH3COOH –Acetic acid
Note:
 Ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) and glucose (C6H12O6) do not have replaceable
hydrogen atoms. So they do not show any acidic character.
 An acid shows acidic behaviour only in presence
+
of water because it gets
ionized only in aqueous solution to release H ions which accounts for its acidic
behaviour.

Types of acids:
Mineral acids: Acids obtained from rocks and minerals are called mineral acids.
Examples: HCl (Hydrochloric acid), H2 SO4 (Sulphuric acid), HNO3 Nitric acid)
Organic acids : Acids obtained from plants and animals are known as organic acids
Examples: Formic or methanoic acid(ants, bees, nettle stings), Acetic
acid( Vinegar), Lactic acid( curd), Citric acid( lemons, oranges, citrus fruits),
Tartaricacid( tamarind),oxalic acid(tomato)
 Physical properties:
 Sour to taste:
 Corrosive in nature
 Acids conduct electricity in aqueous state(when dissolved in water) because
it ionizes in aqueous solution
 Acids turn blue litmus red
Chemical properties:
1. Action with metals: Reactive metals react with dilute acids to form salt and
release hydrogen gas.
Metal + Acid→ Salt + Hydrogen gas

Zn + H2 SO4 (dil) → ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

Fe + H2 SO4 (dil) → FeSO 4 (aq) + H2 (g)
Mg + 2HCl (dil) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
Na + HCl (dil) → NaCl (aq) + H2 (g)
Note
 Copper, silver, gold, mercury, lead do not react with acids because they are
less reactive than hydrogen and cannot displace hydrogen from
dilute acids.
 Hydrogen gas evolved is detected by bringing a burning match stick near
the collected gas. The gas burns with a pop sound.
 Hydrogen gas is collected over water as it is insoluble in water and
lighter than water.
 Sour substances should not be kept in containers made of Cu or brass
because they contain acids which react with Cu and brass to form
toxic compounds not fit for human consumption.
 Metals do not displace hydrogen from nitric acid (except magnesium and
manganese) because it is a strong oxidizing agent and hydrogen
displaced gets oxidized.

2. Action with metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates: All carbonates
and metal carbonates react with to form salts, water and liberate carbon dioxide.
Metal carbonates/ metal hydrogen carbonates + Acid→ Salt + carbon dioxide
+ water

2NaHCO3+ H2 SO4 (dil) → Na2SO4 + H2 O + CO2

(Sodium hydrogen carbonate) (Sodium sulphate)

MgCO3 + 2HCl (dil) → MgCl2 + H2 O + CO2

(Magnesium carbonate) (Magnesium chloride)

CaCO3 + H2 SO4 (dil) → CaSO4 + H2 O + CO2

(Calcium carbonate) (Calcium sulphate)
Note
 The carbon dioxide gas is formed with brisk effervescence. The gas can be
detected by passing it through lime water which turns milky.
Ca (OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3(s)+ H2O(l)
(lime water) (milky)
The milkiness disappears when excess of carbon dioxide is bubbled through it
due to the formation of calcium hydrogen carbonate which is soluble in water.
 CaCO3(s) + H2 O (l) +CO2 (excess) → Ca(HCO3)2 (aq)
(milky) (Soluble)
 Limestone, chalk, egg shells and marble are different forms of
calcium carbonate.

3. Action with metal oxides: Acids react with metal oxides to form salt and
water. These reactions are mostly carried out by heating.
Metal oxide +Acid → Salt + Water
CuO (s) + 2HCl (dil) → Cu Cl2 (aq) + H2O (l)
Black Bluish green
MgO (s) + H2 SO4 (dil) → MgSO4 (aq) + H2O(l)
CaO (s) + 2HCl (dil) → CaCl2(aq)+ H2 O(l)
-
Bases: A base is a substance which releases one or more hydroxide ions (OH ) in
aqueous solution.
+ -
Na OH (aq) → Na + OH
2+ -
Ca (OH)2 (aq) → Ca + 2OH
Some bases are water soluble like KOH, Na OH. They are called alkalis.

Physical properties:
 Soapy to touch
 Bitter to taste
 Bases conduct electricity in aqueous state(when dissolved in water) because
it ionizes in aqueous solution
 Bases turn red litmus blue

Chemical properties:
1. Action with metals: Metals like zinc, tin, and aluminium react with
strong alkalis to release hydrogen gas.
Metal + alkali→ Salt + Hydrogen gas

Zn + 2 NaOH (aq) → Na2ZnO2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Sodium zincate
Sn + 2 NaOH(aq) → Na2SnO2 (aq) + H2 (g)
Sodium stannate
2Al + 2 NaOH(aq) +2 H2O → NaAlO2 (aq) + H2 (g)
Sodium Aluminate

Note:
 All the metals do not react with bases.
 Metals such as Zn and Al which react with acid as well as bases
are called amphoteric metals

2. Action with non-metallic oxides: Bases react with non -metallic oxides to
form salt and water. These reactions are mostly carried out by heating.
Non-metal oxide + base → Salt + Water
CO2 (g) + 2NaOH (aq) → Na2CO3 (aq) + H2O (l)
SO2 (g) + Ca(OH)2 (aq) → CaSO3 (aq) + H2O (l)
 Note:
 Metal-oxides are basic in nature. Some oxides dissolve in water to
form soluble hydroxides. These are called alkalis.
 Non-metallic oxides are acidic in nature. They dissolve in water to
form acids.
CO2 (g) + H2O (l) → H2CO3 (aq)
Carbonic acid
SO2 (g) + H2O (l) → H2SO3 (aq)
Sulphurous acid
SO3 (g) + H2O (l) → H2SO4 (aq)
Sulphuric acid

Reaction of acid and a base: (neutralization reaction)

An acid reacts with a base in aqueous solution to form salt and water. This is called a
neutralization reaction. This- is called a neutralization reaction because the H ions of acids
neutralize the effect of OH ions of the base in the solution by forming water- a neutral
substance which does not change the colour of the litmus paper whether blue or red.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
HCl (aq) + NaOH (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

Dilution of acids/bases:
Dilution process: Mixing an acid or a base with water results in decrease of concentration of
+ -
ions (H3O /OH ) per unit volume. This process is called dilution.
Acids and bases when dissolved in water produce a large amount of heat. The process
is highly exothermic.
Note:
 Precaution needed for dilution : Acids particularly the mineral acids like HCl , H2
SO4 , HNO3 have a strong affinity for water. Thus dilution process is highly
exothermic. In order to control the heat evolved, we should add acids/bases slowly to
water with constant stirring and cooling under water. If water is added to
concentrated acid, the heat generated may cause the mixture to splash out and cause
burns as heat generated cannot be controlled. It may cause explosion due to
breaking of glass container.
Concentrated acids: The acids which contain minimum amount of water are
called concentrated acids.
Dilute acids: When concentrated acid is dissolved in water the concentration of hydronium
+
ions (H3O ) per unit volume decreases and the acid obtained is called dilute acid.
Strength of acids and bases:

Strong acids: The acids which completely dissociates into ions in aqueous solution are
called strong acids. Examples: HCl , H2 SO4 , HNO3
Weak bases: The acids which do not dissociate into ions in aqueous solution completely are
called weak acids. Examples: Formic acid, Acetic acid, Lactic acid
Strong bases: The bases which completely dissociates into ions in aqueous solution are
called strong bases. Examples: NaOH, KOH
Weak bases: The bases which do not dissociate into ions in aqueous solution completely are
called weak bases. Examples: Ca(OH)2, Cu(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, NH4OH
 Universal indicator: A universal indicator is a mixture of indicators which show a gradual
but
+ well marked series of colour changes over a wide range of change in concentration of
H ions.

pH Scale: A scale for measuring hydrogen ion concentration in a solution is known as a pH

scale. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic. A
pH greater than 7 is basic.
Note:
+
 The acidic nature of a solution is directly proportional to the concentration of H
+
ions concentration. As the concentration of H ions increases, the acidic nature of
the solution increases. +
 Basic solution also have H ions as they are prepared in water which dissociates to
+ – +
give H and OH ions. –
However, the number of H ions is very small as compared
to the number of OH ions which is released both by the base and the water.
 The paper which is coated with universal indicator is called a pH paper.

Decrease H + ion concentration ← →Decrease H + ion concentration

Q.←What do you mean by neutralisation reaction? Give an example

Ans: Page 21

Q. You are provided with a beaker, wire, two nails, battery, bulb and dilute soultions of
HCl, HNO3, alcohol and glucose. How will you identify the acids from the given solutions
using the given materials

Ans: Page 22 Learn the diagram

Q. Are all compounds containing hydrogen acidic? With the help of a labelleddiagram describe
an activity to explain this.

Ans: Fig 2.3 Page 22

Q.Dry HCl cannot turn dry blue litmus paper red. Give reason.

Ans: Acids produce H+ ions only in the presence of water. H+ ions are
responsible for their acidic properties.
IMPORTANCE OF pH IN EVERYDAY LIFE
 Our body works within the pH range of 7.0 to 7.8. Living organisms can survive only in a
narrow range of pH change. When pH of rain water is less than 5.6, it is called acid rain

 Plants require a specific pH range for their healthy growth.

 pH in our digestive system:- During indigestion the stomach produces too much acid and this
causes pain and irritation. To get rid of this pain, people use bases called antacids. These
antacids neutralise the excess acid. Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of magnesia), a mild base, is
often used for this purpose.

 Tooth decay starts when the pH of the mouth is lower than 5.5. Tooth enamel, made up of
calcium phosphate is the hardest substance in the body. It does not dissolve in water, but is
corroded when the pH in the mouth is below 5.5. Using toothpastes, which are generally basic,
for cleaning the teeth can neutralise the excess acid and prevent tooth decay.

 Self-defense by animals and plants through chemical warfare: - Bee-sting leaves an acid
which causes pain and irritation. Use of a mild base like baking soda on the stung area gives
relief. Stinging hair of nettle leaves inject methanoic acid causing burning pain.

SALTS
 Salts are formed when acids react with bases.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
 A salt is a compound formed from an acid by the replacement of the hydrogen in the acid by
a metal.
 The name of the salt consists of two parts: The first part of the name of salt is derived from
the name of the base, and the second part of the name of the salt comes from the name of acid.
 Eg:- The name ‘sodium chloride’ comes from sodium hydroxide base and hydrochloric acid.
The salts of hydrochloric acid are called chlorides
 The salts of sulphuric acid are called sulphates.
 The salts of nitric acid are called nitrates.
 The salts of carbonic acid are called carbonates.
 The salts of acetic acid are called acetates.

CLASSIFICATION OF SALTS
1. Neutral salt
2. Acidic salt
3. Basic salt

Neutral salt:- A neutral salt is formed when a strong base reacts with a strong acid.
Eg:- 1. Sodium chloride(NaCl)- formed from strong acid HCl and strong base NaOH.
2. Potassium sulphate(K2SO4)- formed from strong acid H2SO4 and strong base KOH
Acidic salt:- An acidic salt is formed when a strong acid reacts with a weak base.
Eg:- 1. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)- is the salt of strong acid HCl and weak base NH4OH.
3. Ammonium sulphate, (NH4)2SO4- is the salt of strong acid H2SO4 and weak base
NH4OH.
Basic salt:- A basic salt is formed when a strong base reacts with a weak acid.
Eg:- 1. Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3- is the salt of strong base NaOH and weak acid H2CO3.
2. Sodium acetate, CH3COONa- is the salt of strong base NaOH and weak acid CH3COOH.
 pH of salts:-
The salt of a strong acid and a strong base will be neutral in nature. pH = 7 (approx.)
The salt of a weak acid and a strong base will be basic in nature. pH > 7.(the solution of this salt
turns red litmus blue.)
The salt of a strong acid and a weak base will be acidic in nature. pH < 7.(the solution of this salt
turns blue litmus red.)