NCERT Solutions for Class 7

Science
Chapter 5 – Acids, Bases, and Salts
1. State differences between acids and bases.
Ans: The substances that taste sour are acids and the substances taste bitter and
feel soapy on touching base.

2. Ammonium is found in many household products, such as window

cleaners. It turns red litmus blue. What is its nature?
Ans: The substances that turn red litmus blue are base. Therefore, ammonium is
basic in nature.

3. Name the source from which litmus solution is obtained. What is the use
of this solution?
Ans: Litmus solution is extracted from lichens and is used to test the acidic/basic
nature of the solution.

4. Is the distilled water acidic/basic/neutral? How would you verify it?

Ans: Distilled water is neutral in nature. We can verify it by using litmus paper.
When some drops of the distilled water are poured on red/blue litmus paper, its
color remains the same.

5. Describe the process of neutralization with the help of an example.

Ans: Neutralization is a reaction between acids and bases. Acids and bases are
opposites in nature, when they mix, they neutralize the effects of each other. The
substance formed in the neutralization reaction is known as salt.

Example: HCl  NaOH  NaCl  H 2O .

acid base salt water

6. Mark ‘T’ if the statement is true and ‘F’ if it is false.

(i). Nitric acid turns blue litmus red.
Ans: True
Nitric acid is acidic in nature and therefore it turns blue litmus red.
(ii). Sodium hydroxide turns blue litmus red.
Ans: False
Sodium hydroxide is basic in nature and therefore it turns red litmus blue.

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(iii). Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid neutralize each other and
form salts and water.
Ans: True
HCl  NaOH  NaCl  H 2O
acid base salt water

Neutralization is a reaction between acids and bases, when they are mixed, they
neutralize the effects of each other.

(iv). An Indicator is a substance that shows different colors in acidic and

basic solutions. (T/F)
Ans: True
Litmus is an indicator and it shows different colors in acidic and basic solutions.

(v). Tooth decay is caused by the presence of a base. (T/F)

Ans: False
Tooth decay is caused by the presence of an acid produced by bacteria.

7. Dorji has a few bottles of soft drinks in his restaurant, but unfortunately,
these are not labelled. He has to serve the drinks on the demand of
customers. One customer wants an acidic drink; another wants a basic
and the third one wants a neutral drink. How will Dorji decide which
drink is to be served to whom?
Ans: Dorji can use the indicator like litmus which can help him take the informed
decision. If a few drops of a drink change blue litmus to red then it is acidic in
nature and if it turns red litmus to blue then it is basic in nature.
Also, if the drops of a drink do not affect the litmus, then it is neutral in nature.

8. Explain why:
a) An antacid tablet is taken when you suffer from acidity.
Ans: An antacid tablet is taken when you suffer from acidity because the antacid
tablet is basic in nature; it reacts with the excess acid in our stomach causing a
neutralization reaction. Hence, it relieves us from the pain of acidity.

b) Calamine solution is applied to the skin when an ant bites.

Ans: Calamine solution is applied on the skin when ant bites because ant bites
inject acid in the skin and calamine solution is basic in nature, it reacts with the
acid causing a neutralization reaction. Hence, it relieves us from itching and
irritation.

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c) Factory waste is neutralized before disposing it into the water bodies.
Ans: Factory waste is neutralized before disposing it into the water bodies
because excess acids or bases can be dangerous and fatal for the organisms living
in the water.

9. Three liquids are given to you. One is hydrochloric acid, another is

sodium hydroxide and the third is a sugar solution. How will you identify
them? You have only a turmeric indicator.
Ans: Turmeric is acidic in nature and so it will turn red in contact with a base.
From this, we can figure out that sodium hydroxide is a base.
Now we are left with sugar solution and hydrochloric acid. The red spot created
on the litmus due to the base will again turn yellow while in contact with an acid.
You will observe that the hydrochloric acid will turn the red spot into yellow
again and hence it is an acid.
Sugar solution will not affect the litmus and hence it is a neutral solution.

10. Blue litmus paper is dipped in a solution. It remains blue. What is the
nature of the solution? Explain.
Ans: We know that acids turn blue litmus into red. When a blue litmus paper is
dipped in a solution and it remains blue then the solution cannot be acidic.
Hence, the solution can either be basic or neutral.

11. Consider the following statements:

a) Both acids and bases change color at all indicators.
b) If an indicator gives a color change with an acid, it does not give a change
with a base.
c) If an indicator changes color with a base, it does not change color with
an acid.
d) The change of color in an acid and a base depends on the type of
indicator.

Which of these statements are correct?

(i). All four
(ii). a and b
(iii). b and c
(iv). only d

Ans: (iv). Only d

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Litmus is an indicator and it changes red to blue for the basic solution and blue
to red for an acidic solution.
The same is with turmeric. It changes yellow to red for the basic solution.

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