IGCSE Chemistry – Acids Alkalis Bases & Salts Revision Notes 2

(4.5) Preparation of Salts – Reactions with Acids:

Learn these General Equations and their Examples:

1. ACID + METAL –––––––> SALT + HYDROGEN

Hydrochloric acid + Magnesium Magnesium Chloride + Hydrogen

2HCl(aq) + 2Mg(s) 2MgCl(aq) + H2(g)

Sulphuric acid + Zinc Zinc Sulphate + Hydrogen

H2SO4(aq) + Zn(s) ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

Nitric acid + Aluminium Aluminium Nitrate + Hydrogen

2HNO3(aq) + 2Al(s) 2AlNO3(aq) + H2(g)

2. ACID + BASE –––––––> SALT + WATER

Hydrochloric acid + Copper II Oxide Copper II Chloride + Water

HCl(aq) + CuO(s) CuCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Nitric acid + Aluminium Oxide Aluminium Nitrate + Water

6HNO3(aq) + Al2O3(aq) 2Al(NO3)3(aq) + 3H2O(l)

3. ACID + ALKALI –––––––> SALT + WATER

Sulphuric acid + Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Sulphate + Water

H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Phosphoric acid + Potassium Hydroxide Potassium Phosphate + Water

H3PO4(aq) + 3KOH(aq) K3PO4(aq) + 3H2O(l)

4. ACID + CARBONATE –––––––> SALT + WATER + CARBON DIOXIDE

Sulphuric acid + Ammonium Carbonate Ammonium Sulphate + Water + Carbon Dioxide

H2SO4(aq) + (NH4)2CO3(aq) (NH4)2SO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Nitric acid + Sodium Carbonate Sodium Nitrate + Water + Carbon Dioxide

2HNO3 (aq) +Na2CO3(aq) 2NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

Hydrochloric acid + Magnesium Carbonate Magnesium Chloride + Water + Carbon Dioxide

2HCl(aq)+ MgCO3(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

(4.6) Solubility of Ionic Compounds – Learn the solubility patterns:

IGCSE Chemistry – Acids Alkalis Bases & Salts Revision Notes 2

(a) Soluble Compounds:

ALL: EXCEPT FOR:
(NO3+) Nitrate Salts (No Exceptions)
Sodium
(Na+)
Potassium
(K+) (No Exceptions
Salts Ammonium
(NH4+)

Chloride
(Cl-)
Bromide (Ag+)Silver
(Br-) (Halides)
Salts (Pb2+)Lead
(I-)
Iodide
Barium
(Ba2+)
Lead
(SO42-) Sulphate Salts (Pb2+) Sulphates
Calcium
(Ca2+)

(b) Insoluble Compounds:

ALL: EXCEPT FOR:
Sulphide Sodium
(S2-) (Na+) Sulphide
Carbonate Potassium
(CO32-) (K+) Carbonate
Salts Ammonium
(PO43-) (NH4+) Phosphate
Phosphate
Sodium
(Na+)
Potassium
(2.11- (OH-) Hydroxides (K+) Hydroxides 2.12)
Ammonium
(NH4+)

Hydrogen Chloride / Hydrochloric Acid: The Fountain Experiment:

 Hydrogen Chloride is a colourless gas, denser than air – collected by

downward delivery
 It is very highly soluble in water – a polar molecule – as it dissociates into
H+ and Cl- ions – cannot be collected over water.
 This is an exothermic reaction which produces Hydrochloric Acid
Solution – with all the properties of an acid.
HCl(g) + H2O(l) HCl(aq) + H+ + Cl-
 Its extreme solubility can be demonstrated in the ‘fountain experiment’ –
all the HCl gas in the round flask dissolves immediately in the first few
drops of water causing a vacuum – external air pressure forces more water
into the flask – universal indicator turns red to indicate acid is formed.
 Hydrogen Chloride is also soluble in methylbenzene (toluene) BUT it does
not form an acidic solution – there is no dissociation – HCl stays in
molecular state – provided there is not a trace of water present.
 Ammonia and Sulphur Dioxide gases are also highly soluble in water and will also perform the
‘fountain experiment’ – forming an alkaline and an acidic solution (of ions) respectively.