Acids, Bases, and Salts

ACIDS BASES

Sour in taste. Bitter in taste and soapy in touch .

Release H+ ions in water. Release OH- ions in water.
Change the color of blue litmus to red. Change the color of red litmus to blue.

Indicators are substances that indicate the acidic or basic nature. They can either be:

Natural Olfactory Synthetic

obtained via natural sources,
eg- turmeric, litmus, red
cabbage, flower petals of
Hydrangea, Petunia, and
Geraniumetc.
their odour/smell changes in they are synthesized in labs.
acidic and basic media. Eg.- Eg.- Methyl orange,
Vanilla, clove, onion, etc. Phenolphthalein, etc.

Indicator Acid Base

Red Litmus No change Blue
Blue Litmus
Turmeric
Red
No change

.0
No Change
Red- brown
Red cabbage
Onion
Red-Pink
No Change
2
Green- yellow
No smell
Vanilla
Phenolpthalein

ng No Change
Colorless
No smell
Pink
Methly orange

ni Red Yellow

Litmus solution is a purple dye (in neutral state) derived from lichens and is used as an acid-base indicator.

ar CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACIDS AND BASES

Le 1. Reaction Of Acids With Metals

Upon reaction with metals, the hydrogen atoms of acids get displaced by the metal in the form of H₂ gas and for a

Examples:

ive
compound called salt.

→
Acid + Metal →Salt + Hydrogen gas

t
2NaOH(aq) + Zn(s) Na₂ZnO₂(s) + H₂ (g)
Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl₂ (aq) + H₂ (g)

a
Mg(s) + H₂SO₄(aq)

e
→ MgSO₄(aq) + H₂ (g)

r
2. Reaction Of Acids With Metal Carbonates and Metal Hydrogencarbonates

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On reacting with metal carbonates and metal hydrogencarbonates, acids produce salt, carbon dioxide, and water.
Metal carbonate/Metal hydrogencarbonate + Acid →
Salt + CO₂ + H₂O
Examples:
2NaHCO₃(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) →
NaCl(aq) + CO₂ + Water
2Na₂CO₃(aq) + 2HCl(aq) →
2NaCl(aq) + CO₂ + Water SALT

3. Reaction Between Acids And Bases (Neutralisation reaction)

An acid nullifies the effect of base and vice-versa. Hence, it is referred to as neutralisation reaction.
They react to give salt and water, i.e., Acid + Base →Salt + Water.
Example:
NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) →NaCl (aq) + H₂O (l)
HCl (aq) + Ca(OH)₂ (aq) →
CaCl₂ (aq) + H₂O (l)
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 4. Reaction Of Acids With Metal Oxides (Metal Oxide + Acid → Salt + Water)
CuO (s) + 2HCl (aq) →CuCl₂ (aq) + H₂O (l)
The produced copper chloride solution turns blue-green in color. This coloration is due to the formation of
copper(II) chloride.

5. Reaction of Bases With Non-metallic Oxides (Non-Metal Oxide + Base → Salt + Water)
CO₂ (g) + Ca(OH)₂ (aq) →
CaCO₃ (aq) + H₂O (l)
CO₂ (g) + 2NaOH (aq) →
Na₂CO₃ (aq) + H₂O (l)
Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature.

What is common in all acids and bases?

All acids have positively charged H⁺ ions called cations and negatively charged anions like Cl⁻ (HCl), No₃⁻ (HNO₃),
SO₄²⁻ (H₂SO₄), etc.
Since H⁺ is the common ion in all acids, it imparts the acidic character.
Similarly, OH⁻ ions are common in all bases, i.e., they impart the basic character.

What happens to acids/bases in water solution?

.0
Acids produce H⁺ ions only in water solution and cannot exist alone. Thus, it is always written as either H⁺(aq.) or
H₃O⁺ (hydronium ion).
HCl + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + Cl⁻
2
g
Likewise, bases produce OH⁻ ions in water.
NaOH(s) + H₂O → Na⁺ + OH⁻

in
All bases are not soluble in water; the soluble ones are called alkali.
Always the acid or base is added to the water and never the other way round.

n
The addition should always be slow and with constant stirring to avoid corrosion and heat generated from the
highly exothermic reaction.

ar Strength of Acids and Bases

Le
pH scale is used to measure the strength of the acid/base.
The “p” in pH is German and stands for potenz, which means power.
For neutral solutions, like distilled water, the pH = 7

e
For acidic solutions, the pH < 7.
For basic medium, the pH > 7.

v
The higher the hydronium ion concentration, lower is the pH value.

i
The strengths of acids and bases are directly proportional to the number of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions respectively.

t
Universal Indicator: It is a mixture of several indicators which shows different colors at different H⁺ ion

a
concentration.

re
C
pH of some common susbstances:

pH
1.2
Substance
Gastric juices

2.2 Lemon juice

7.4 Water, Blood

10 Milk of Magnesia

14 Sodium Hydroxide Solution

11
 pH in Everyday Life
t
Antacids - Given to neutralise acidity in stomach.
[Mg(OH)₂] - Milk of Magnesia, NaHCO₃ - baking
pH Phenomena soda, etc.
Bacteria present in mouth causes tooth decay by
producing acid via breaking down leftover sugars
7.0 to 7.8 Working range of human body
and food particles.
It corrodes the enamel (Calcium
1.5 to 3.5 pH of stomach hydroxyapatire) Ca₃(PO4)₂.
Toothpastes are basic and help in preventing
this decay.
5.6 Acid rain’s pH Self-defense in plants and animals:
Nettle leaf sting is painful because of
methanoic acid secretion. It can be relieved
5.5 Tooth decay by rubbing leaves of dock plant.
Bee sting: Bee sting leaves an acid, causing
Soil’s pH for healthy plant pain. Baking soda is used for relieving this
6.1 to 7
growth pain.

Salts
.0
Salts may be defined as ionic compounds produced by neuralization reactions.
They are electrically neutral crystalline in nature.
2
ng
Most salts are soluble in water.
Salt solutions and their molten state conduct electricity.

Examples:

ni
Family of salts: Salts having common acidic and basic radicals belong to the same family.

ar
Chloride family - NaCl, CaCl₂
Sodium family - NaCl , Na₂SO₄
Sulphate family - K₂SO₄, CuSO₄, MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄

pH of Salts:

Le
SALT COMPOSITION pH NATURE

ive
Strong acid + strong base

Strong acid + weak base

7

less than 7
Neutral

Acidic

at
Weak acid + strong base more than 7 Basic

re
Chemicals from common salt:
Seawater contains a variety of salts, with sodium chloride (common salt) being a primary component.

C
Sodium chloride is extracted from the mixture of dissolved salts present in seawater.
Across the globe, there are deposits of solid salt known as rock salt, which typically appears brown due to
impurities.
Rock salt beds were created from the evaporation of ancient seas and are mined using methods similar to
coal extraction.
The common salt (NaCl) thus obtained is a crucial raw material for various other important chemicals like
sodium hydroxide, baking soda, washing soda, bleaching powder, etc.

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 Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

When electricity is passed via brine (NaCl), NaCl decomposes to form NaOH (Caustic soda).

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

Anode: Cl₂ Cathode: H₂

Gas Released Anode: Cl₂ Cathode: H₂

NaOH is formed near the cathode.
All the three products formed in this are useful:

Uses of Cl₂: Uses of H₂: Uses of NaOH:

Water treatment Fuels Degreasing metals
Swimming pools Margarine Soaps and detergents
PVCs Ammonia for fertilisers Paper-making
Disinfectants Artificial fibers
CFCs
Pesticides

.0
2
ng
ni
ar Bleaching Powder (CaOCl₂)

Action of Chlorine gas on dry slaked lime produces bleaching powder

Uses

Le Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ →
In textile industry: for bleaching cotton and linen.
In paper factories: for bleaching wood pulp.
CaOCl₂ + H₂O

e
In laundry: for bleaching washed clothes.

v
As an oxidising agent in various chemical industries.

i
To produce germ-free drinking water.

at Baking Soda

e
Its common name is Sodium Hydrogencarbonate and is produced via the following reaction:

r NaCl + H₂O + CO₂ + NH₃

It is a basic salt and non-corrosive in nature.
→ NH₄Cl + NaHCO₃

C
It is frequently used in cooking and the following reaction occurs during the process:

Uses
2NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂ (On Heating)

The CO₂ produced on heating is used to make bread and cake.

It is an ingredient of antacid.
Used in soda-acid fire extinguisher.
It is mixed with a mild edible acid like tartaric acid to form baking powder.
NaHCO₃ + H+ → CO₂ + H₂O + Sodium salt of acid

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 Washing Soda (Na₂CO₃.10H₂O)

It is also a basic salt and is obtained via recrystallisation of Sodium Carbonate

Na₂CO₃ + 10H₂O → Na₂CO₃.10H₂O
Uses:
In glass, soap, and paper industry.
In the manufacture of borax.
For removing permanent hardness of water.
As a cleaning agent for domestic purposes.

Water of Crystallisation

It is the fixed number of water molecules present in one formula unit of a salt. For eg. CuSO₄.5H₂O (five water
of crystallisation).
Though CuSO₄.5H₂O appears dry, it contains water of crystallisation due to which the crystal appears blue.
Upon heating, the crystal loses these water of crystallisation and becomes white.
Another crystal having this property is gypsum; CaSO₄.2H₂O

Plaster of Paris (CaSO₄.1/2H₂O) Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate

On heating gypsum at 373 K, it loses water and becomes calcium sulphate hemihydrate.
On mixing with water, it changes to gypsum.
.0
CaSO₄. 1/2 H₂O + 1.5 H₂O
(Plaster of Paris)
→
CaSO₄.2H₂O
(Gypsum)
2
g
Two formula units of CaSO₄ share one molecule of water.

n
i
Uses:
for making toys.

rn
for making decoration materials.
for making surfaces smooth.

ea
e L
tiv
ea
Cr

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 Activity

Activity 2.3

Set the apparatus as shown in fig

Take about 5 mL of dilute sulphuric acid in a test tube and add a few pieces of zinc granules to it.
What do you observe on the surface of zinc granules?
Pass the gas being evolved through the soap solution.
Why are bubbles formed in the soap solution? n Take a burning candle near a gas filled bubble.
What do you observe?

.0
Observation
2
g
H₂ gas is produced producing pop sound with burning matchstick and bubbles of H₂ is formed on Zn surface
Zn+ H₂SO₄ →
ZnSO₄ +H₂ ↑

in Activity 2.5

rn
Take two test tubes, label them as A and B.
Take about 0.5 g of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3 ) in test tube A and about 0.5 g of sodium hydrogencarbonate

a
(NaHCO3 ) in test tube B.
Add about 2 mL of dilute HCl to both the test tubes.

Le
What do you observe?
Pass the gas produced in each case through lime water (calcium hydroxide solution) as shown in Fig and record
your observations.

ive
at
re
C
Observation
brisk effervescence is seen in both test tube and gas (CO₂) produced in each test tube that converts lime water
milky.
2NaHCO₃(aq) + H₂SO₄(aq) → NaCl(aq) + CO₂ + Water
2Na₂CO₃(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + CO₂ + H₂O

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 Activity 2.6

Take about 2 mL of dilute NaOH solution in a test tube and add two drops of phenolphthalein solution.
What is the colour of the solution?
Add dilute HCl solution to the above solution drop by drop.
Is there any colour change for the reaction mixture?
Why did the colour of phenolphthalein change after the addition of an acid?
Now add a few drops of NaOH to the above mixture.
Does the pink colour of phenolphthalein reappear? n Why do you think this has happened?

.0
Observation

2
Initially pink color is formed , which disappears after adding HCl as effect of a base is nullified by an acid and
vice versa

ng NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H₂O(l)

ni Activity 2.7

r
Take a small amount of copper oxide in a beaker and add dilute hydrochloric acid slowly while stirring.
Note the colour of the solution. What has happened to the copper oxide?

Observation

ea
Solution becomes blue-green due to formation of Copper Chloride and the copper oxide dissolves.
→
L
CuO(aq) + HCl(aq) CuCl₂(aq) + H₂O(l)

Activity 2.8

ve
Take solutions of glucose, alcohol, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, etc.

i
Fix two nails on a cork, and place the cork in a 100 mL beaker.

t
Connect the nails to the two terminals of a 6 volt battery through a bulb and a switch, as shown in Fig.
Now pour some dilute HCl in the beaker and switch on the current. Repeat with dilute sulphuric acid.

ea
What do you observe? n Repeat the experiment separately with glucose and alcohol solutions. What do you
observe now? n Does the bulb glow in all cases?

Cr
Observation
Bulb Glows in presence of acids but not in case of glucose and alcohol solutions as acidic solutions have ions
which helps to conduct electricity & basic solution also have ions which helps to conduct electricity

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 Activity 2.9

Take about 1g solid NaCl in a clean and dry test tube and set up the apparatus as shown in Fig.
Add some concentrated sulphuric acid to the test tube.
What do you observe? Is there a gas coming out of the delivery tube?
Test the gas evolved successively with dry and wet blue litmus paper.
In which case does the litmus paper change colour? n On the basis of the above Activity, what do you infer
about the acidic character of: (i) dry HCl gas (ii) HCl solution?

.0
2
ng
i
Observation
HCl gas is released which turns wet blue litmus red and HCl gas does not change color of dry blue litmus paper.
→

rn 2NaCl + H₂SO₄ Na₂SO₄ + 2HCl

Activity 2.10

ea
Take 10 mL water in a beaker. Add a few drops of concentrated H₂SO₄ to it and swirl the beaker slowly.
Touch the base of the beaker. Is there a change in temperature?

L
Is this an exothermic or endothermic process? Repeat the above activity with sodium hydroxide pellets and
record your observations.

ive
at
re
C
Observation
Base of the beaker becomes hot as the reaction is exothermic in nature.

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 Activity 2.11

Test the pH values of solutions given in Table

Record your observations.
What is the nature of each substance on the basis of your observations?

SOLUTION pH Color pH value Nature

Saliva before meal green color 7.4 slightly basic
Saliva after meal yellow 5.8 acidic
lemon juice pink 2.5 acidic
colorless aerated drinks lime green 6 slightly acidic
carrot juice yellow/green 5.6 acidic
coffee yellow 5 acidic
Tomato juice beige color 4.1 acidic
tap water green/ lime green 7 neutral
1M NaOH Purple 13 basic
1M HCl red
Activity 2.12
0-1

0
Highly acidic

.
Put about 2 g soil in a test tube and add 5 mL water to it.
2
Shake the contents of the test tube. Filter the contents and collect the filtrate in a test tube.

ng
Check the pH of this filtrate with the help of universal indicator paper.
What can you conclude about the ideal soil pH for the growth of plants in your region?

Observation

ni
pH shows a color change when tested with Universal indicator.

ar Activity 2.14

e
Collect the following salt samples – sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, aluminium chloride, zinc sulphate, copper
sulphate, sodium acetate, sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate (some other salts available can also
be taken).

L
Check their solubility in water (use distilled water only). Check the action of these solutions on litmus and find

e
the pH using a pH paper.

v
Which of the salts are acidic, basic or neutral? Identify the acid or base used to form the salt.

i
Report your observations in Table

SALT
Formula

at Sodium Chloride Potassium Nitrate Zinc Sulphate Copper Sulphate Sodium Carbonate Sodium Acetate
NaCl KNO₃ ZnSO₄ CuSO₄ Na₂CO₃ CH₃COONa

re
Conclusion Neutral Neutral Acidic

Activity 2.15
Slightly Acidic Basic Basic

C
Heat a few crystals of copper sulphate in a dry boiling tube.
What is the colour of the copper sulphate after heating? n Do you notice water droplets in the boiling tube?
Where have these come from?
Add 2-3 drops of water on the sample of copper sulphate obtained after heating.
What do you observe? Is the blue colour of copper sulphate restored?

Observation
Water of Crystallisation evaporates changing blue CuSO₄ crystals to white.
CuSO₄.5H₂O →
CuSO₄ + 5H₂O

18