SES4UB 8: Acids and Bases 12/11/2023

8.2 Properties of Acids and Bases

The Relationship Between Alkalis and Bases

Bases
➔ Are substances that react with acids to neutralize them and produce water
➔ From the Bronsted-Lowry theory they are substances that accept H+
➔ They are usually:
◆ metal oxides eg. MgO
◆ metal hydroxides eg. NaOH
◆ metal carbonates eg. Na2CO3
◆ metal hydrogencarbonates eg. KHCO3
◆ ammonia NH3

Alkalis
➔ Many bases are insoluble - they do not dissolve in water
➔ If a base does dissolve in water, we call it an alkali
➔ Alkalis produce OH- when dissolved in water

Examples:

Chemical Properties of Acids

➔ Acids react with metals, bases, and carbonates to form salts
➔ Each of these three reaction types always follows the same pattern as shown below
➔ The acid involved in the formation of the salt is known as the parent acid
➔ The base involved in the formation of the salt it is known as the parent base

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SES4UB 8: Acids and Bases 12/11/2023

1) Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen

➔ Are a type of single displacement reaction

Examples:

a. HCl(aq) + Zn(s) →

b. H2SO4(aq) + Fe(s) →

c. CH3COOH(aq) + Mg(s) →

Questions

1) Write total and net ionic equations for reactions b) and c) above.

2) Explain why acids cause metals to corrode?

3) Would zinc or silver be more susceptible to acid corrosion? Explain.

4) Metals below hydrogen on the activity series are not corroded by acids. Why not?

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SES4UB 8: Acids and Bases 12/11/2023

2) Acid + base → salt + water

➔ Known as neutralization reactions - a type of double displacement reaction

Examples:

a. HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) →

b. HNO3(aq) + NH4OH(aq) →

c. CH3COOH(aq) + CuO(s) →

Questions

1) Write total and net ionic equations for reactions b) and c) above.

2) Compare the net ionic equations for both.

3) The enthalpy of neutralization is defined as the enthalpy change that occurs when an acid and a
base react together to form one mole of water. Neutralization reactions are always exothermic.
What can be predicted about the change in enthalpy associated with the reaction between any
strong acid and strong base? Explain.

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SES4UB 8: Acids and Bases 12/11/2023

3) Acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide

➔ Carbonates are just a specific type of base (of which a few are soluble in water and are
therefore also alkalis), so this type of reaction is just a special type of acid + base
neutralization reaction

Examples:
a. HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s) →

b. H2SO4(aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) →

c. CH3COOH(aq) + KHCO3 (aq) →

Note: Carbonic acid (H2CO3(aq)) is unstable and immediately decomposes into CO2(g) and H2O(l)
upon formation

Questions
1) Write total and net ionic equations for the overall reactions of b) and c) above.

2) Compare the net ionic equations for both.

Physical Properties of Acids and Base

Property Acids Bases

taste sour bitter (when alaklis)

texture sticky slippery (when alkalis)

odour sharp odourless (except NH3)

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SES4UB 8: Acids and Bases 12/11/2023

Distinguishing Acids from Bases Using Indicators

How Do They Work?

➔ Acid-base indicators change colour reversibly according to the concentration of H+ (H3O+) in
solution
➔ The colour change occurs because indicators are weak acids or bases whose conjugate has a
different colour
➔ Consider an indicator which is a weak acid, with the formula HIn
◆ At equilibrium, the following equilibrium equation is established with its conjugate base:

➔ At low pH values the concentration of H3O+ is high and so the equilibrium position lies to the left -
the equilibrium solution has the colour A
➔ At high pH values, the concentration of H3O+ is low - the equilibrium position thus lies to the right
and the equilibrium solution has colour B

Where Do They Come From?

➔ Many indicators are extracts from natural substances such as flower petals and berries
➔ A list of common acid-base indicators is given in section 22 of the IB Data Booklet

Universal Indicator
➔ Is formed by mixing together a large number of different indicators
➔ Because of this, it can change a variety of different colours depending on the H+
➔ This allow us to determine an approximate pH value of a solution

Homework: Exercises 5-8 on page 355.