Cambridge Lower Secondary :

Stage 7

Acidity and indicators

by Sarah Affendi
 Acids and alkalis
• acids and alkalis are found in the laboratory and at
home
• acid and alkali are chemical opposites

acids and alkalis can neutralise each other

• the acidity and alkalinity of a substance is a

chemical property
 Acids

Some food
Many things
contain acid
contain acid

They have
Common acids in the laboratory: sour, sharp,
hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and tangy taste
nitric acid
Acid in food
 Some acids are dangerous
• some acids are strong –
they are corrosive
• the bottles have a hazard
warning label

it will dissolve the skin

chemical burn
Strong acid on skin
 Acids in the laboratory
Dilute acids Strong acids
• laboratory acids that have been • concentrated acids are acids mixed
mixed with a lot of water before with very little water
putting them out for use
• much more dangerous than dilute
• e.g.: acids –corrosive
hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and
nitric acid • they can attack metals and destroy
skin if spilled
• dilute acids are still harmful or
irritant
 Hazard symbols

moderate hazard corrosive hazard acutely toxic hazard

flammable hazard hazardous to the health hazard

environment
 Alkali

Many cleaning e.g.: soap,

products contain toothpaste
alkali

Common alkalis in the laboratory:

sodium hydrochloride, potassium
hydroxide and calcium hydroxide
 Some alkalis are dangerous

• strong alkalis are dangerous –

they are corrosive

it will dissolve the skin,

your skin feels soapy

Strong alkali on
skin chemical burn
 Working safely with
acids and alkalis
1. Stand up to work, so that is you spill
something if does not spill onto you

2. Wear safety glasses for eye protection

3. If you spill acid, wash the area with lots of

water. The water dilutes the acid
 Indicators
• scientists use chemicals called indicators to tell whether
something is acidic, neutral or alkaline

colour change

pH
meter
Litmus
universal indicator