3.

ACIDS,BASES,SALTS
Synopsis(important points)
Acids
• Acids is defined as the one which produces hydrogen ions in water. For Example,
Sulphuric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid etc.
• They give sour taste..

• Acids turn blue litmus to red. This is used as confirm ation test for the presence of
acid.ss

• When acids react with metals, gases are evolved.

Reactions with Acids

1. Reaction of Acid with Metal
Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas
Mg + H 2 SO 4 → H 2 + Mg SO 4
2. Reaction of Acid with Carbonates
Na 2 CO 3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H 2 O(l) + CO 2 (g)
3. Reaction of Acid with Bicarbonates
NaHCO 3 (s) + HCl (aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2 O (l) + CO 2 (g)
Similarity between Acids and Bases
• Both acids and base react with water. They produce ions in water

• Both acids and bases acts as electrolytes, so are good conductors of electricity.

• Both of them changes the colour of the litmus paper.

Classification of Acids
Acids are classified as Organic Acids and Mineral Acids. Acids which are derived from
plants and animals, they are known as Organic Acids. For Example, Citric Acid from fruit.
Mineral acids are inorganic acids such as Sulphuric Acid. They are dangerous to be used,
so need more precautions.
Acids are also classified as Strong Acids or Weak Acids. Strong acid is an acid, that
completely dissociates into ions in aqueous solutions. For Example, Sulphuric Acid,
Hydrochloric Acid.
Weak acid is the one which does not dissociate completely into ions in aqueous
solutions. For Example, Acetic Acid.

Acids can also be as Dilute Acid and Concentrated Acids. The one which has low
concentration of acids in aqueous solution, they are known as Dilute Acids whereas the
one which has high concentration of acids in aqueous solution, are known
as Concentrated Acids.
It is advisable to add acid to water and not vice versa because large amount of heat is
released if water is added to acid. This released heat is la rge enough to cause harm.

Acids can also be classified based on number of hydrogen ions. Monoprotic acid is the
one which gives one mole of hydrogen ions per mole of acid, such as HCl. Diprotic Acid is
the one which produces two mole of hydrogen ions per m ole of acid. For Example, H 2 SO4 .
Bases
• Bases are the one which produces hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions. Bases
which are water soluble they are known as Alkalis.
• They turn red litmus to blue.

• They have a bitter taste.

• They also produced carbon-dioxide when reacted with carbonates.

• They also evolved hydrogen gas when bases react with metals.

Reactions of Bases
1. Reaction with Metals
Base reacts with metals and produce hydrogen gas.

2NaOH + Zn → Na 2 → Na 2 ZnO 2 + H 2
2. Reaction with Acids
Base reacts with acids to form salts. For Example,
KOH + HCl → KCl + H 2 O
3. Reaction with Non-metallic Oxides
Base reacts with non-metallic oxides to form salt and water.

2NaOH + CO 2 → CO 2 → Na 2 CO 3 + H 2 O
Classification of Bases
Bases are classified as Strong Base and Weak Base. Strong base is the one which
dissociates completely into its ions in aqueous solution. For Example, NaOH.
Weak base is the one which does not dissociate completely into its ions in aqueous
solutions. For Example, Ammonium Hydroxide, NH 4 OH
Bases are also classified as Dilute Base and Concentrated Base. The solution which has
low concentration of base in aqueous solution is defined as Dilute Base whereas the one
which has high concentration of base in aqueous solution is known as Concentrated Base.
Strength of Acid or Base Solutions
The dissociation constant of weak acid or weak base can be represented as-

Suppose HA is weak acid, then dissociation constant is represented as-

Strength of an acid or base can be determined using a pH scale. I t is a scale to measure

the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. The p stands for ‘potenz’, it is a German word
which means power.

• If pH is equal to 7, means the solution is neutral.

• If pH is greater then 7 means alkaline solution.

• If pH is less then 7 means the solution is acidic.

Fig.1. pH scale
Importance of pH
• Human body works at a pH of about 7.4.

• Stomach has a pH of about 2 due to presence of hydrochloric acid in it. It is

needed for the activation of pepsin protein required for protein digestion.

• When we eat food containing sugar, then the bacteria present in our mouth break
down the sugar to form acids. This acid lowers the pH in the mouth. Tooth decay
starts when the pH of acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5. This is because
then the acid becomes strong enough to attack the enamel of our teeth and
corrode it. This sets in tooth decay. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to
clean the mouth thoroughly after eating food.
 • Many animals and plants protect themselves from enemies by injecting painful
and irritating acids and bases into their skin.

o When honey bee stings a person, it injects an acidic liquid into the skin.
Rubbing with mild base like baking soda solution on the stung area of
the skin gives relief.

o When a wasp stings, it injects an alkaline liquid into the skin. Then
rubbing with a mild acid like vinegar on the stung area of the skin gives
relief.

• Soil pH and plant growth: Most of the plants grow best when the pH of th e soil is
close to 7. If the soil is too acidic or basic, the plants grow badly or do not grow
at all. The soil pH is also affected by the use of chemical fertilisers in the field.
Chemicals can be added to soil to adjust its pH and make it suitable for gr owing
plants. If the soil is too acidic then it is treated with materials like quicklime or
slaked lime. If the soil is too alkaline then alkalinity can be reduced by adding
decaying organic matter.

Salts
When acid and base neutralize, salts are formed. Strong acid and strong base combines
to form neutral salt.

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H 2 O

Eq.1. Formation of Neutral Salt
Strong acid and weak base combine to form acidic salt. For Example, Hydrochloric Acid
and ammonium hydroxide combine to form ammonium chloride. Other examples, sodium
hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen sulphate etc.
HCl + NH 4 OH → NH 4 Cl + H 2 O
Eq.2. Formation of Acidic Salt
Similarly, weak acid and strong base combine to form basic salt. For Example, Acetic Acid
and sodium hydroxide combine to form sodium acetate. Other examples are calcium
carbonate, potassium cyanide etc.
CH 3 COOH + NaOH → CH 3 COONa + H 2 O
Eq.3. Formation of Basic Salt

The most common salt is table salt or sodium chloride (NaCl).

Indicators
They are the substances that which indicate acidic or basic nature of the solution using
colour change. For Example, litmus solution, methyl orange, phenolphthalein, methyl red
etc. Acids convert blue litmus paper red in colour. Bases turn red litmus blue.
Phenolphthalein remains colourless in presence of acids but turn pink in presence of bases.
Some Important Chemical Compounds and their uses
Preparation Uses
 1. Raw material for making large
number of useful chemicals in
1. NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H 2 O industry. Eg: NaOH (caustic soda),
2. From sea water by evaporation Na 2 CO 3 (washing soda),
NaHCO 3 (baking soda).
Common Salt (NaCl) 3. From underground deposit
2. Preservative in pickle and curing
(Sodium Chloride) {Large crystals of common salt found in underground meat and fish.
deposit which is brown due to presence of impurities
3. To melt ice and clear roads in
in it. It is mined from underground deposit like coal.}
winters in cold countries.

4. Used in manufacturing of soap.

Uses of H 2
1. Hydrogenation of oil to get
vegetable ghee (margarine)

2. To make ammonia for fertilizers

3. In fuel for rockets.

Uses of Cl 2
1. In water treatment
Passing electricity through concentrated solution of 2. To clean water in swimming pools
NaCl (called 'brine')
3. To make plastic, e.g. PVC

4. To make CFCs, chloroform, dyes

etc.
Caustic Soda (NaOH) 2NaCl (Brine) + 2H 2 O2NaOH (Caustic Soda) + Cl 2 +
(Sodium Hydroxide) H2 Uses of NaOH

At anode (+ve electrode): Cl 2 is produced 1. Used in making soap and detergent.

At cathode (-ve electrode): H 2 is produced 2. Used in manufacturing of paper
It is called chloro-alkali process because products
3. De-greasing metals
formed are chlorine (Chloro) and NaOH (alkali).
4. Refining oil

5. Making dyes and bleaches

Uses of HCl
1. Cleaning steel

2. Preparation of chloride, e.g. NH 4 Cl

3. In making medicines and cosmetics

4. In making plastics, PVC etc.

Baking Soda NaCl + NH 3 + H 2 O + CO 2 → NaHCO 3 + NH 4 Cl 1. Used as antacid in medicine to

(NaHCO 3 ) Properties remove acidity of the stomach
(Sodium Action of Heat: 2. Used in making baking
Hydrogencarbonate) powder (Basic soda + tartaric acid)
NaHCO 3 + H ⊕ (from mild acid) →
Na ⊕ (sodium salt of acid) + CO 2 + H 2 O
The CO 2 produced during the process
gets trapped in wet dough and bubbles
out slowly to make cake 'rise' so that it
becomes soft and spongy.
Tartaric acid neutralizes it, and so it
has pleasant taste.

3. Used in soda-acid fire extinguisher

1. Used in glass, soap and paper

industries

Na 2 CO3 + 10 H 2 O → Na 2 CO 3 .10H 2 O 2. Used in manufacturing of sodium

Washing Soda compounds such as Borax
Preparation of Na 2 CO3
(Na 2 CO3 .10H2 O)
{NaCl + NH 3 + H 2 O + CO 2 NaHCO 3 + NH 4 Cl 3. Cleaning agent for domestic
(Sodium Carbonate)
NaHCO 3 → Na 2 CO3 + CO 2 + H 2 O} purpose

4. Remove permanent hardness of

water

1. For bleaching cotton and linen in

Ca(OH) 2 + Cl 2 → CaOCl 2 + H 2 O
textile industry, for bleaching wood
Slaked Lime Calcium Oxychloride pulp in paper factories, for bleaching
Bleaching Powder
Properties washed clothes in laundry
(CaOCl 2 )
Calcium Oxychloride CaOCl 2 + H 2 SO 4 → CaSO 4 + Cl 2 + H 2 O 2. Oxidizing agent in chemical
The Cl 2 produced by action of dilute acid acts as industries
bleaching agent.
3. Disinfecting drinking water

1. Used in hospital for setting fractured

bones in the right position to ensure
CaSO4.H2O (Plaster of Paris) +3/2 H2O correct healing.
Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) * Heating of gypsum should not be done above 100oC as
(CaSO4.1/2 H2O) 2. Making toys, decorative materials,
above that temperature, water of crystallization will
(Calcium Sulphate cheap ornaments, and casts of statues.
eliminate and anhydrous CaSO4 will be obtained. This
Hemihydrate) anhydrous CaSO4 is known as Dead Burnt Plaster. 3. Used as fire-proofing material
* CaSO4.1/2 H2O means that two molecules of
4. Used in chemistry labs for setting air
CaSO4 share one molecule of water.
gaps in apparatus.
Properties
 Has remarkable property of setting into a hard mass on 5. Making smooth surfaces, such as For
wetting with water, as gypsum is formed. making ornamental designs on ceilings of
houses and other buildings
CaSO4.1/2 H2O (P.O.P) + 1/2 H2O → CaSO4.2H2O
(Gypsum set as hard mass)
Hence, P.O.P should be stored in moisture-proof container
as moisture can cause slow setting of P.O.P by hydrating
it.

IMPROVE YOUR LEARNING

REFLECTIONS ON CONCEPTS
1. An acid or a base is mixed with water is
this process exothermic or endothermic one ?

(A)Mixing concentrated acids or bases with wat

-er is a highly exothermic process as heat is
expelled out.

2. Distilled water does not conduct

electricity. Why?

(A) Distilled water is water that was boiled to steam and

recondensed to water. So distilled water is relatively pure
H2O. Water can ionize to H+ and OH- like salt does, but it
ionizes to a far lesser degree and is very resistant
to conducting electricity.
3. Draw a neat diagram for showing acid
solution in water conducting electricity .

(A)

4. why the flow of acid rain into a river

make the survival of aquatic life in a river
difficult ?

(A) Acid rain water, if mixed with river water,

lowers its pH below 5.6, i.e., makes river water
acidic. But the living body works
normally within a pH range of 7-7.8. That's
why flow of acid rain water to river makes the
survival of aquatic life in the river difficult.
5. how does baking powder make the cake
soft and spoongy ?

(A) Baking powder is mixed with the flour.

When water is added to this flour
to make dough, baking powder undergoes a
chemical reaction during which carbon dioxide
gas is produced. This carbon dioxide gas gets
trapped into the dough and bubbles out which
causes the cake to rise making it soft and
spongy.

Application of concepts are continued in next

page
1. Five solutions A,B,C,D,E when tested with
universal indicator showed pH as 4,1,11,7,9
respectively, classify the solutions as given
below.

(a) Neutral (b) Strongly alkaline (c) strongly

acidic (d) weakly acidic (e) weakly alkaline.

(A) pH↑[H+]conc.↓
[H+]conc.↑ Acid Strength↑
B→ Strongly Acidic
A→ Weakly Acidic
D→ Neutral [pH=7]
E→ Weakly Alkaline
C→ Strongly Alkaline
So, [H+]conc. is B>A>D>E>C

2. why does tooth decay start when the pH

of mouth is lower then 5.5 ?

(A) Bacteria in the mouth create acids after

eating through the oxidation of sugar and food
particles in the mouth. Tooth decay starts when
the mouth's pH is below 5.5. ... Since plaque
coats the teeth, saliva can not reach
the tooth layer to neutralize the acid.

3.A milkman adds a very little amount of

baking soda to fresh milk from acidic nature
to slightly alkaline?

(a) why does he shift the pH of the fresh

milk from acidic nature to slightly alkaline?

(b) why does this milk take a long time to

sed as curd?

(ANS) (a) By adding a very small amount of

baking soda to fresh milk, the milkman keeps
the milk unspoiled for little more time than
usual time. As the pH value increases
the milk turns to slightly alkaline,
(b) As baking soda is added, it turned into a
base. But curd needs acidic condition to set.
4. plaster of paris should be should be
stored in moisture-proof container. Explain
why?
(ANS) Plaster of Paris in contact
with moisture (water) changes to solid hard
mass, gypsum. Therefore, it gets wasted. Hence
it should be stored in moisture proof
containers.
5. Magnesium ribbons are same size are
taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric
acid is added to test tube A, while acetic
acid is added to test tube B. the
concentrations of both acids are the same.
In which test tube will the fissing occur more
vigorously?why?

(ANS) Magnesium metal when reacts with

an acid gives off hydrogen gas in the reaction.
In test tube A fizzing occurs more
vigorously because HCl is
stronger acid than acetic acid. Hence, HCl
liberates hydrogen gas more vigorously, which
causes fizzing more vigorously.