ACIDS AND ALKALIS

Aim:
To understand the properties of acids and alkalis
To identify different chemicals as acid or alkali
 SAFETY
Some of the chemicals you
will be using in this topic are
HAZARDOUS.

You may find various symbols

on the bottles containing the
acids and alkalis

Corrosive What do they mean?

WHAT DO THESE HAZARD
SYMBOLS MEAN?

Harmful Irritant

Flammable Toxic
PROPERTIES OF ACIDS
• Strong acids are
corrosive and can ‘eat
away’ at materials like
metal, stone and flesh!
• Weak acids like lemon
and vinegar taste sour.
• Acids contain hydrogen
(but not all things that
contain hydrogen are
acids)
 ACIDS

You will often find these acids in the science lab, however they can also be
found naturally. Where else may you find them?
WHAT TYPE OF ACID DO THESE
CONTAIN?

Citric acid Phosphoric acid

Ethanoic acid

Tannic acid Lactic acid

 PROPERTIES OF BASES AND
ALKALIS

•They feel soapy to touch

•They are soluble bases
•Like acids they can ‘burn’ the skin
•Alkalis contain hydroxide ions
•They taste bitter
 ALKALIS

In the science lab you will often find these alkalis. Alkalis are also present
in these objects:

Indigestion
tablets

Wasp stings

Cleaning Soap
products Baking soda

Toothpaste
 UNIVERSAL INDICATOR

Universal Indicator to identify acids and

alkalis.
The pH scale to identify the strength of
different acids and alkalis.
THE UNIVERSAL INDICATOR
SCALE
NEUTRALISATION
Aim:
•Explain what the term Neutralisation means.
•Interpret graphs.
•Identify some everyday examples of neutralisation.
What colour will the universal indicator turn in these substances?
NEUTRALISATION
NEUTRALISATION
Q1. What is the pH
of Sodium
Hydroxide?

Q2. What is the pH

of Hydrochloric
acid?

Q3. What volume of

Sodium Hydroxide
had to be added to
neutralise the acid?
EVERYDAY EXAMPLES OF
NEUTRALISATION
EVERYDAY EXAMPLES OF
NEUTRALISATION
EVERYDAY EXAMPLES OF
NEUTRALISATION
EVERYDAY EXAMPLES OF
NEUTRALISATION
NEUTRALISATION
Aim:
•Investigate what the products of a neutralisation reaction are.
 THE PRODUCTS OF
NEUTRALISATION
Mix together an acid and alkali in an evaporating
basin.
What two things need to be kept the same?
The Concentration and Volume of the acid and
the alkali needs to be the same.

Using a bunsen burner, tripod, heat proof

mat and gauze. Heat the evaporating basin.
What will evaporate from the basin?

Water
What will be left in the basin?

A salt