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chem reactions notes SF
chem reactions notes SF
In this reaction:
magnesium is oxidised to form magnesium oxide
copper(II) oxide is reduced to form copper
This is an example of a redox reaction because reduction and oxygen happen at the same time. Also in this reaction:
magnesium acts as a reducing agent because it can reduce copper(II) oxide
copper(II) oxide acts as an oxidising agent because it can oxidise magnesium
pH and Neutralisation
When universal indicator (UI) is added to solutions, it will change colour depending on what ions are present. UI can be used to estimate
the pH of a substance using a colour chart, however pH probes give a much more accurate reading of pH.
The coloured pH scale below can only be used with indicators like UI, because these are the colours UI turns. Other indicators like
methyl orange, and phenolphthalein, do not turn these colours - so this scale cannot be used.
pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Acids are made up of hydrogen ions (H+), which are released when acids are dissolved in water. The more hydrogen ions there are in
solution, the lower the pH of that solution.
A base is a substance that can neutralise an acid to form a salt and water only. The most common bases you will come across are
metal oxides and metal hydroxides. Metal carbonates are not quite bases as they also produce carbon dioxide gas. Most bases are
insoluble in water, and those that are soluble are called alkalis. Alkalis are made up of hydroxide ions (OH-). When an acid and an alkali
react, we can write an ionic equation to show how they make water:
When a base and an acid react, they produce a substance that is neutral. We call this a neutralisation reaction. A salt and water are
always made during a neutralisation reaction.
acid + base → salt + water
Indicators
Indicators tells us what the pH is of a chemical by changing colour. Different indicators turn different colours based on what type of
chemical is present.
A digital pH meter can also be used to measure pH. These are used as they are much more accurate. The pH meter may need calibrating
first. This is done by adjusting the reading to match the pH of a buffer solution, which is a solution with a known pH.
Higher Tier
The higher the concentration of hydrogen ions in an acidic solution, the lower the pH.
The higher the concentration of hydroxide ions in an alkaline solution, the higher the pH.
As hydrogen ion concentration in a solution increases by a factor of 10, the pH of the solution will decrease by 1.
Acids in solution are a source of hydrogen ions (H+). The hydrogen ions are produced when the acid dissociates (splits up) to form
ions.
General Reactions
When acids react with different chemicals, they can make different products. Using different acids will create salts that have different
names. In the table below you can see how each of these acids affects the name of the possible salt:
Acids + Metals
A salt and hydrogen are produced when acids react with metals.
acid + metal → salt + hydrogen
hydrochloric acid + magnesium → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
2HCl(aq) + Mg(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
Method
1. Using the pipette and pipette filler, add 25 ml of alkali to a clean conical flask
2. Add a few drops of suitable indicator to the alkali, and put the conical flask on a white tile
3. Fill the burette with acid and record the starting volume
4. Slowly add the acid from the burette to the conical flask, swirling it to make sure they mix
5. Stop adding the acid when the end-point is reached (this is when the indicator permanently changes colour), and record the final
volume reading
6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 until you get concordant titres. You will achieve more accurate results if acid is added drop by drop near to the
end-point (you will be able to calculate this from your rough titre
You need to work out a mean titre, and you must only include results that are concordant in your calculation.
Method
1. Mix together two suitable solutions (see solubility rules table to determine which soluble salts will produce an insoluble salt)
2. Use filtration to separate the precipitate as a residue from the solution
3. Wash the precipitate with distilled water whilst it is still on the filter paper
4. Leave the precipitate on the filter paper in a warm oven to dry
Solubility Rules
all nitrates