Acids, Bases and Salts
Acids
The word "acid" comes from the Latin word "acidus" which means sour.
According to Arrhenius theory an acid is a substance which ionizes and gives hydrogen ions when dissolved in
water
Example: Hydrochloric acid in water releases H+ ions.
HCl + H2O → H+ (aq) + Cl–(aq)
A hydrogen ion cannot exist on its own, so it combines with a water molecule to form a hydronium ion.
Example: Hydrochloric acid when dissolved in water liberates a hydrogen ion and a chloride ion. The hydrogen
ion combines with water to form a hydronium ion.
HCl + H2O → H3O+ (aq) + Cl–(aq)
Classification of acids:
Classification of acids based on source:
Based on the source the acids were classified into two types. They are organic acids and in-organic acids.
Organic acids:
Acids obtained from food like curd, lemons, grapes, raw mango, citrus fruits and gooseberry are called organic
acids.
In-organic acids:
Acids which are synthesised in the laboratory are called as in-organic acids or mineral acids
Following table is the list of some acids which are used in the laboratory.
Name of the acid Chemical formula
Sulphuric acid H2SO4
Nitric acid HNO3
Hydrochloric acid HCl
Acetic acid CH3COOH
Classification of acids based on concentration:
The word concentration indicates the quantity of acid in relative to the quinatity of water in the aqueous
solution of that acid.
Highly concentrated acid contains high percentage of acid in comparision with water in that solution.
Low concentrated acid contains low percentage of acid in comparision with water in that solution.
Dilution of acid:
Mixing an acid with water reduces the concentration of hydronium ions of the acid per unit volume. This is
called dilution of acid. The action of acids with water is exothermic as heat is generated on dilution.
Classification of acids based on strength:
Acids, Bases and Salts
Based on ionisation, the acids were classified into strong acids and weak acids.
Strong acids: Acids which ionises complely into its ions are called strong acids.
Example: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3...etc
Weak acids: Acids which ionises partially into its ions are called weak acids.
Example: CH3COOH, H2CO3...etc
Classification of acids based on basicity of acids:
Based on basicity acids were classified into different types. They are
Mono-basic acids
Di-basic acids
Tri-basic acids
Mono-basic acids:
Acids which on ionisation produces on hydronium ion in water are termed as mono-basic acids.
Example: HCl
Di-basic acids:
Acids which on ionisation produces two hydronium ions are called as di-basic acids.
Example: H2SO4, H2CO3..etc
Tri-basic acids:
Acids which on ionisation produces three hydronium ions are called astri-basic acids.
Example: H3PO4, H3PO3..etc
Properties of acids:
Acids have corrosive action on skin.
Acids are good conductors of electricity.
Acids neutralizes bases to form salt and water.
Chemical properties of acids:
Reaction of acids with active metals:
Acids reacts with metals to form metal salts. In this reaction, hydrogen gas is liberated.
Example: In the reaction of hydrochloric acid reacts with zinc produces hydrogen gas and zinc chloride.
2HCl + Zn → ZnCl2 + H2
Reaction of acids with metal carbonates:
Acids reacts with metal carbonates to form corresponding salts, carbon dioxide and water.
Example: Hydrochloric acid on reaction with sodium carbonate forms sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and
water.
2HCl + Na2CO3 → 2NaCl + CO2 + H2O
Reaction of acids with metal hydrogen carbonates:
Acids reacts with metal hydrogen carbonates and form corresponding salts, carbon dioxide and water.
Acids, Bases and Salts
Example: Hydrochloric acid on reaction with sodium bicarbonate forms sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and
water.
HCl + NaHCO3 → NaCl + CO2 + H2O
Reaction of acids with metal oxides:
Acids reacts with metal oxide to form salt and water.
Example:
Sulphuric acid on reaction with cupric oxide forms copper sulphate and water.
CuO + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O
Indicators:
An acid base indicator is a substance which exhibits different colour in acids and bases.
Red cabbage is a visual indicator used to detect acids.
Onions are called olfactory indicators. They change their odour with change in the nature of solution.
Litmus is a natural indicator and is extracted from lichens.
Apart from natural indicators there are a few synthetic indicators, such as methyl
orange and phenolphthalein.
Following table gives colours of the indicators in presence of acids and bases.
Indicator Acid Base
Methyl orange Red Yellow
Phenolphthalein Colourless Pink
Blue litmus paper Red colour No Change
Red litmus paper No change Blue colour
Universal indicator is a mixture of different number of indicators which shows different colours in different
solutions.
Uses of acids:
Sulphuric acid is used in the manufacture of fertilisers, paints, dyes, chemicals , plastics and
synthetic fibres.
Sulphuric acid is also used in car batteries.
Nitric acid is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives like TNT, dyes and drugs.
Hydrochloric acid is used before galvanizing, to remove oxide film from steel and also as a descaling
agent for boilers. It is also used in the textile, leather and food industry.
Hydrochloric acid used in the manufacture of glucose from corn starch.
Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH) is used for coagulating latex to prepare rubber from it. It is also used
in the preparation of perfumes.
Boric acid (H3BO3) is useful as an antiseptic and insecticide.
Boric acid is useful as a flame retardent.
Carbonic acid (H2CO3) is useful in the form of carbonated drinks
Acids, Bases and Salts
Bases
According Arrhenius theory any substance that can produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in water is
called as a base.
Substance + Water → Metal ion + OH–
Example:
NaOH (aq) → Na+ (aq) + OH– (aq)
A base is said to be an alkali if it is soluble in water. In general hydroxides of alkali metals and alkaline
earthmetals are considered as alkalies.
Example:
KOH (aq) → K+(aq) + OH– (aq)
Ca(OH)2(aq) → Ca+2 (aq) + OH– (aq)
It is not a necessary that a base should contain hydroxide ion.
There are some bases even they does not contain hydroxide ion, can be considered as bases.
Example: Ammonia (NH3)
Ammonia when dissoled in water forms ammonium hydroxide which is a weak base.
NH3 + H2O → NH4OH (aq)
Oxides of alkali metals and alkaline earthmetals are also considered as basic in nature.
Example: CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O...etc
Classification of bases:
Classification based on the strength:
Based on the extent of ionisation bases are classified into strong bases and weak bases.
Strong bases:
The bases which undergoes complete ionisation in aquesous solution are called as strong bases.
Example: NaOH, KOH...etc
Weak bases:
The bases which undergoes partial ionisation in aqueous solution are called weak bases.
Example: NH4OH, NH3...etc
Classification of based on acidity:
Based on acidity bases can be classified into different types. They are:
Mono acidic base
Di acidic base
Tri acidic base
Acids, Bases and Salts
Mono acidic bases:
Bases which produces only one hydroxide (OH-) ion in aqueous solutions are called mono acidic bases.
Example: NaOH, KOH...etc
Di acidic bases:
Bases which produces two hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions are called di acidic bases.
Example: Ca(OH)2, Mg(OH)2...etc
Tri acidic bases:
Bases which produces three hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions are called tri acidic bases.
Example: Al(OH)3, Fe(OH)3...etc
Physical properties of bases:
• Bases are bitter to taste, soapy to touch.
• Bases are good conductors of electricity in aqueous solution. In aqueous solution, they release
ions, which conduct electricity.
• Bases liberates heat on dilution.
Indicators in pressence of bases:
Bases turns red litmus to blue.
Phenolphthalein turns pink in pressence of bases.
Methyl orange turns to yellow in pressence of bases.
Chemical properties:
Reaction with active metals:
Bases react with metals to liberate hydrogen gas
Example: Sodium hydroxide react with zinc and liberate hydrogen and sodium zincate.
NaOH + Zn → Na2ZnO2 + H2
Reaction with non-metal oxides:
Bases react with non-metallic oxides to form salt and water. This is similar to a neutralization
reaction between an acid and a base.
Example: Calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate and water
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 + H2O
From this reaction, it can be concluded that non-metallic oxides are acidic in nature.
Reaction with acids:
Bases reacts with acids to form salts and water.
Example:
Potassium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form potassium chloride and water.
KOH + HCl → KCl + H2O
Acids, Bases and Salts
Uses of Bases:
• Mild bases neutralise the acidity in the stomach.
• Sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of soaps, paper and synthetic fibres like rayon.
• Calcium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of bleaching powder. Bleaching powder is used as
a disinfectant.
• Magnesium hydroxide is used as an antacid to neutralize the acid in the stomach.
• Ammonium hydroxide is used in the preparation of fertilizers like ammonium
phosphate and ammonium sulphate.
Strength of Acids and Bases
is a chemical reaction in which an acid reacts with a base to form salt and water. In this process,
a hydrogen ion of the acid combines with a hydroxide ion of the base to form a water molecule.
The anion of the acid combines with the cation of the base to form a salt.
For example when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide the chlorine of hydrochloric acid
combines with sodium of sodium hydroxide to form sodium chloride. The hydrogen of hydrochloric acid
combines with the hydroxyl part of the sodium hydroxide and forms water.
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
Strength of acids or bases:
Based on extent of ionization acids and bases are classified into strong acids, weak acids and strong
bases, weak bases.
Strong acids or strong bases ionizes completly (100%) to form ions in the aqueous solution.
Example:
Hydrochloric acid ionizes completly to form ions.
HCl (aq) → H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
Sodium hydroxide ionizes completly to form ions.
NaOH (aq) → Na+ (aq) + OH– (aq)
Weak acids or weak bases ionizes partially (<100%) to form ions in the aqueous solution.
Example:
Acetic acid ionizes partially in aqueous solution to form ions.
CH3COOH (aq) ⇔ H+(aq) + CH3COO– (aq)
Ammonium hydroxide ionizes partially in aqueous solution to form ions.
NH4OH ⇔ NH4+ + OH– (aq)
An acid or base is considered as strong or weak depending on the concentration of hydrogen and hydroxide io
ns within it.
Acids, Bases and Salts
This concentration or the power of hydrogen differs from substance to substance and can be measured using a
scale, called the pH scale.
A solution that has a pH value of less than 7 is acidic and a solution with a pH value of more than
7 is basic. A neutral solution is indicated by a pH value of 7 on the scale.
Strong acids will posses pH values between 0-2 and weak acids posses pH values more than 3.
Strong bases will posses pH values between 12-14 and weak bases posses pH values less than 12.
pH of some of the acids and bases:
Acid/Base pH
Hydrochloric acid 0.1 - 1.0
Sulphuric acid 1.0 - 1.2
Phosphoric acid 1.3 -1.5
Acetic acid (Vineger) 2.9 - 3.0
Carbonic acid 3.8 - 4.0
water 6.9 - 7.0
Ammonia 10.8 - 11.2
Sodium hydroxide 13 - 14
Applications of neutralization concept in daily life:
Antacids like Milk of Magnesia are mild bases that neutralize the acids in the stomach and
aid digestion.
If the pH lowers, the acidity in the mouth increases and leads to tooth
decay. Toothpastes are basic in nature and they counteract the acid in the mouth.
Hydrangea produces pink flowers when the soil has a pH value of 6.8 or higher and blue
flowers when the pH value is 6.0 or less.
Acids, Bases and Salts
If the soil is acidic, then the applied pesticides, herbicides and fungicides will not be absorbed by the
soil. In order to neutralize the soil, suitable bases are used. Generally, salts of calcium or magnesium,
which are basic are used to neutralize soil acidity.
When a bee stings, formic acid is released. That is what makes the skin burn. Baking soda, which is
a base, neutralizes the formic acid and provides relief from the pain.
Salts and their Properties
The compounds formed by the reaction between an acids and a bases are known as a salts.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
Salts are ionic compounds which contain positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
During salt formation cation is coming from base and anion is coming from acid.
Example: In Sodium chloride (NaCl) formation cation sodium is coming from sodium hydroxide and anion
chlorine is coming from hydrochloric acid.
Classification of salts:
Based on nature the salts have been classified into different types. They are:
Normal salts
Acidic salts
Basic salts
Double salts
Complex salts
Normal salts:
These salts are formed by the complete replacement of hydrogen in acids by other metal cations from the
bases.
NaCl is normal salt formed by the reaction of HCl with NaOH.
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
Acidic salts:
Salts which are formed by the partial replacement of hydrogens atoms of acids are called acidic salts.
Example:
NaHSO4 is formed when partial replacement of hydrogen atoms by the sodium atoms of base.
H2SO4 + NaOH → NaHSO4 + H2O
In general these salts formed when the reacted base is not sufficient for the neutralisation of acid.
Acids, Bases and Salts
Basic salts:
Salts which are formed by the partial replacement of hydroxyl group are called basic salts.
Example:
Ca(OH)Cl is formed by the partial replacement of hydroxide group from Ca(OH)2 by chloride ions of acid.
Ca(OH)2 + HCl → Ca(OH)Cl + H2O
In general these salts formed when the reacted acid is not sufficient for the neutralisation of base.
Table below giving neutral, acidic and basic salts.
Type of Salt Type of Acid Type of Base Example
Strong Acids Strong Bases
Neutral Examples: Examples: NaCl
pH = 7 HCl NaOH K2SO4
H2SO4 KOH
Strong Acids Strong Bases
Acidic Examples: Examples: NH4Cl
pH < 7 HCl NH4OH Mg(NO3)2
HNO3 Mg(OH)2
Weak Acids Strong Bases
Basic Examples: Examples: Na2CO3
pH > 7 H2CO3 NaOH CH3COOK
CH3COOH KOH
Double salts:
Salts that are formed by mixing of two simple salts which are obtained crystallisation.
Example:
Potash alum - K2SO4 Al2 (SO4)3 .24H2O
Dolomite - CaCO3.MgCO3
Complex salts:
The salts which contains different types of metal atoms which on hydrolysis produces complex ions along
with simple ions are called complex salts.
Example:
[Ag(NH3)2]Cl ⇄ [Ag ( NH3 )2 ]+ + Cl-
Acids, Bases and Salts
Salts in our daily life:
Baking soda
Chemical name: Sodium hydrogen carbonate
Molecular formula: NaHCO3
Sodium hydrogen carbonate is commenly called as baking soda.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used in the baking industry.
It is used in preparation of soda acid.
It is also used in foam type fire extinguishers.
Washing soda:
Molecular formula: Na2CO3.10H2O
Chemical formula: Sodium carbonate.decahydrate
Adding water to sodium carbonate and this allowing this mixture to cool to forms decahydrated sodium
carbonate. This is commenly called as washing soda.
Na2CO3 + 10H2O → Na2CO3.10H2O
In general sodium carbonate is prepared by passing CO 2 gas through concentrated NaOH.
2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O
Properties:
It is a white crystalline solid. It exists as decahydrate of sodium carbonate.
When exposed to dry air and heating it loses water molecules to change into anhydrous form.
Na2CO3.10H2O + Exposure to open dry air → Na2CO3.H2O + 9H2O
Na2CO3.H2O + Heating → Na2CO3
It is soluble in water and during dilution heat will releases out.
On reaction with acids sodium carbonate releases carbon dioxide along with the formation of sodium salts
and water.
Na2CO3 + HCl → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2
Sodium carbonate is used to manufacture of glass, cleansing agents, soap, glass and paper.
Acids, Bases and Salts
Bleaching powder (CaOCl2):
Bleaching powder chemically known as calcium oxy chloride.
It is prepared by the reaction between chlorine and slaked lime at about 40 0C.
Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → Ca(OCl)Cl + H2O + Cl2
Ca(OH)2 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + H2O + Cl2
It acts a strong oxidising agent to bleach substances.
CaOCl2 + KNO2 → CaCl2 + KNO3
CaOCl2 + H2S → CaCl2 + H2O + S
It is used to bleach cotton, linen textiles and wood pulp.
Coloured matter + Bleaching powder → Colourless product
It is also used to disinfect drinking water.
Hydrated salts:
The molecules of salts which contain fixed number of water molecules in them are called hydrated salts.
In general they exists as dry in pure form.
These salts on heating loses water molecules in them and forms anhydrous salts.
Example:
Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FeSO4.7H2O) on heating loses water molecules in it.
FeSO4.7H2O (on heating) → FeSO4 + 7H2O
Some of the hydrated salts along with their chemical formula.
Name of the salt Chemical formula
Sodium carbonate decahydrate Na2CO3.10 H2O
Zinc Sulphate heptahydrate or White
ZnSO4.7H2O
vitriol
Magnesium sulphate
MgSO4.7H2O
heptahydrate or Epsom salt
Potash alum K2SO4 Al2 (SO4)3 .24H2O
Copper (II) sulphate pentahydrate or
CuSO4.5H2O
Blue vitriol
Calcium sulphate dihydrate or Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O
Plaster of paris (CaSO4.12H2O):
Acids, Bases and Salts
Plaster of paris which is chemically called calcium sulphate hemihydrate.
Since it is brought to use from paris, called as "plaster of paris".
It is prepared by heating of gypsum at 373K.
CaSO4.2H2O 373 K−→−− CaSO4 12 H2O + 112 H2O
Gypsum Plaster of Paris Water
Uses:
It is used as a bandage, proofing material, sealing agent.
It is used for making statues, toys and decorative articles.
It is also used for smoothening wall surfaces.
