Kyle Form 2 

Acids and Bases

Acids and bases are popular chemicals which interact with
each other resulting in the formation of salt and water.

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 The pH scale
• How acidic or alkaline a substance is (the pH of the substance) can be measured
using the pH scale, a continuous range that stretches from below 0 to above 14.
Most common pH values occur between 0 and 14.
• Acids have a pH of less than 7.

• Alkalis have a pH more than 7.

• Water and neutral solutions have a pH of exactly 7.

• Many bases are insoluble - they do not dissolve in water. However, if a base does
dissolve in water, we also call it an alkali.

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pH Scale

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 Strong Acids
• Concentrated acids are acids mixed with very little water.
• They are much more dangerous than dilute acids. Concentrated acids are corrosive.
• They can attack metals and destroy skin if spilled.
• Their bottles are labelled with a warning symbol to show that they are corrosive.

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 Dilute Acids
• Strong acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid are laboratory acids that have
been mixed with a lot of water before putting them out for use.
• Their bottles are labelled with a warning symbol to show that they can irritate your skin or cause
some other minor harm to health.
• This means that if any of them makes contact with your skin, it may become red or blistered. You
must wash off any spills with plenty of water, otherwise your skin may soon feel as if it is burning.

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 Weak Acids
• Laboratory acids are far too dangerous to taste, but you will have
swallowed some dilute weak acids.
• Acids have a sour taste, like vinegar, which contains ethanoic acid, and
lemons, which contain citric acid.
• These are safe to use in food, but they can still hurt if they get into a
cut or into your eyes.
• The table on the next slide shows the acids found in food:

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 Bases v alkalis
• A base is a substance that can react with acids and neutralise them.
Bases are usually:

 metal oxides, such as copper oxide

 metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, or
 metal carbonates, such as calcium carbonate
• Many bases are insoluble - they do not dissolve in water. However, if a
base does dissolve in water, we also call it an alkali.

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 Bases in the laboratory
• Household cleaning products contain strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide
solution. Like acids, their bottles are labelled with a symbol to warn that they may
make your skin red or blistered unless you wash off any spills with plenty of
water.
• Alkalis feel soapy when they get on your skin, so it is easy to tell when you have
had an accident and must wash your hands.
• Just like concentrated acids, concentrated alkalis are corrosive. They can attack
metals and destroy skin if spilled, so their containers are labelled with a warning
symbol. Concentrated alkalis are just as dangerous as concentrated acids,
sometimes more dangerous, but many people do not realise this.

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 Bases in the home
• Bases react with oils and fats, so they are often used in household
cleaners. For example, drain cleaners and oven cleaners usually
contain sodium hydroxide. Ammonia is also commonly used in
cleaners, and it can be recognised by its choking smell.
• It is wise to wear gloves when using these substances, otherwise they
will react with your skin and burn it.
• Weak bases and alkalis are found in toothpaste, antacid tablets (to
help cure an upset stomach) and baking powder.

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