CHAPTER- ACID , BASES AND SALTS

CLASS- X
IMPORTANT NOTES
● Ionisable and non-ionisable compound

An ionisable compound dissociate into ions when dissolved in water or in its molten
state. Example: NaCl, HCl, KOH, etc.
A non-ionisable compound does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in water or in
its molten state. Example: glucose, acetone, etc.
● Acids, bases and salts are ionisable compounds.

Theories of acids and bases

● Arrhenius theory of acids and bases
Arrhenius acid – when dissolved in water, dissociates to give H+ (aq) or
H3O+(hydronium) ion.
Arrhenius base – when dissolved in water, dissociates to give OH− (hydroxyl) ion.

Examples
Acids- Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Nitric acid (HNO3),
Bases-Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Calcium hydroxide
(Ca(OH)2)

● Bronsted Lowry theory

A Bronsted acid is a substance that can donate H+ ion.
A Bronsted base is a substance that can accept H+ ion.

INDICATORS

Indicators are those substances which tell us whether a substance is acidic or basic by
change in colour. For e.g., litmus solution.
• Olfactory indicators: Those substances whose odour changes in acidic or
basic media are called lfactory indicators. For e.g., clove, vanilla, onion.
• Natural indicators: Turmeric, litmus (obtained from lichen)
• Synthetic indicators: Methyl orange, phenolphthalein.
ACID

Acid - A substance that produces hydrogen ions (H +) in aqueous solutions.

For Example - Sulphuric Acid (H 2SO4), Hydrochloric Acid (HCl).

General properties of acids:

● They have a sour taste.

● They turn blue litmus to red.
● They conduct electricity in solution form.
● They release H+ ions in aqueous solution.

Reactions of Acids

(i) Reaction of Acid with Metal

Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen

Na (metal) + H2 SO4 (acid) → H2 (hydrogen gas) + Na SO4 (salt)

(ii) Reaction of Acid with Carbonates

Acid + Metal carbonate / Metal hydrogen Carbonate → Salt + CO2 + H2O

Na2 CO3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

NaHCO3 (s) + HCl (aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)

Reaction of acid with base:

Acid + Base→ Salt + Water

Acid and base together react to produce salt and water. This reaction is called
neutralization reaction.

Example: KOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → KCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Base - A substance that produces hydroxide ions (OH –) in aqueous solutions.

For Example - Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)

General properties of bases:

● They have a bitter taste.

 ● They are soapy to touch.
● They turn red litmus to blue.
● They conduct electricity in solution form.
● They release OH– ions in aqueous solution

Reactions of Bases

(i) Reaction with Metals: When base is reacted with some metals it forms hydrogen gas.
However, these reactions are not possible with all the metals.

2NaOH + Zn → Na2ZnO2 + H2

(ii) Reaction with Non-metallic Oxides: Non-metallic oxides react with bases to form salt
and water.

2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O

COMPARISON BETWEEN STRONG AND WEAK ACID AND BASE

Strong Acids Strong Base

An acid which completely dissociates A base which completely dissociates

into its ions in aqueous solution. into its ions in aqueous solution.

For example: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), For example: Sodium hydroxide

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Nitric acid (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
(HNO3)

Weak Acids Weak Base

An acid which does not completely
dissociate into
its ions in aqueous solutions.
A base which does not completely
dissociate into its ions in aqueous
solution.
For example: Ammonium hydroxide
(NH4OH).
 For example: Acetic acid (CH 3COOH),
Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

Concept of pH scale

Strength of an acid or base can be determined using a pH scale. It is a scale to

measure the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. The p stands for ‘potenz’, it is a
German word which means power.

For water or neutral solutions : pH = 7

For acidic solutions : pH < 7

For basic solution : pH > 7

Importance of pH in everyday life

(i) pH in our digestive system: Our stomach produces hydrochloric acid that helps in
the digestion of food. During indigestion the stomach produces too much acid and this
causes pain and irritation. To get rid of this pain, antacids like magnesium hydroxide
[Mg(OH)2] also known as milk of magnesia and sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking
soda) are used to neutralize excess acid.

(ii) Tooth decay caused by acids: Bacteria present in the mouth produce acids by
degradation of sugar and food particles remaining in the mouth after eating. When the
pH of acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5, tooth-decaying starts. The best way to
prevent this is to clean the mouth after eating food. Using toothpastes, which are
generally basic, for cleaning the teeth can neutralise the excess acid and prevent tooth
decay.

(iii) pH of soil and plant growth: Most of the plants require a specific pH range (close
to 7) for their healthy growth. If the soil is too acidic or basic, the plants grow badly or do
not grow at all. pH of the soil can be adjusted by using certain chemicals. For example,
if the soil is too acidic then it is treated with materials like quicklime or slaked lime. On
the other hand, if the soil is too alkaline then alkalinity can be reduced by adding
decaying organic matter.

SALTS:
When an acid reacts with a base then it neutralizes to form salt and water. This reaction
is called neutralization reaction.

Common salt: Salt whose chemical composition is NaCl is common salt.

Chlor-alkali process: When we pass electricity through an aqueous solution of sodium

chloride (called brine), it decomposes to form sodium hydroxide.

2NaCl(aq) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + Cl2(g) + H2(g)

Bleaching powder: Bleaching powder (CaOCl2) is produced by the action of chlorine

(formed in chlor-alkali process) on dry slaked lime.

[Ca(OH)2]. Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O

Uses of bleaching powder:

1. To bleach cotton and linen in the textile industry.

2. Many chemical industries use it as an oxidising agent.
3. To make drinking water free of germs by disinfecting it.

Baking soda: When common salt is treated with Ammonia in the presence of water and
carbon dioxide then baking soda (NaHCO3) is formed.

NaCl + H2O + CO2 + NH3 → NH4Cl + NaHCO3

Uses of baking soda:

1. It is used for making baking powder.

2. Baking soda is also used in making antacids.
3. soda-acid fire extinguishers also use it as the main ingredient.

Washing soda: When we heat baking soda (NaHCO3) it forms sodium carbonate
(Na2CO3). When it combines with the excess of water than washing soda is obtained.

2NaHCO3 + Heat → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2

Na2CO3 + 10H2O → Na2CO3 ∙ 10H2O

Uses of washing soda:

 1. Washing soda has main use in glass, paper and soap industries.
2. It is used in the manufacture of borax and many other sodium compounds.
3. We use it as a cleaning agent for domestic purposes.
4. Washing soda is used for removing permanent hardness of water.

Plaster of Paris: When we heat gypsum at 373 K, it loses water molecules and becomes
calcium sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO4 . ½ H2O). This is Plaster paris.

Uses and properties of plaster of paris:

1. Doctors mainly use it for supporting fractured bones in the right position.
2. It is used to make statues.