Chapter – 2

Acids, Bases and Salts

Introduction to Acids, Bases and Salts

A substance that tastes sour in water, turns blue litmus red, and neutralises bases is known as an
acid.
If a substance’s aqueous solution tastes bitter, turns red litmus blue, or neutralises acids, it’s called a
base.
Salt is a neutral material that has no effect on litmus in aqueous solution.
INDICATORS
Indicators are substances which indicate the acidic or basic nature of the solution by the colour
change or by the change of smell.

Types of Indicator
There are many types of indicators. Some common types of indicators are:

1. Natural Indicators: Indicators obtained from natural sources are called natural indicators. Litmus,
turmeric, red cabbage, China rose, etc., are some common natural indicators used widely to show the
acidic or basic character of substances.

a. Litmus: Litmus is obtained from lichens. The solution of litmus is purple in colour. Litmus paper
comes in two colours- blue and red.
An acid turns blue litmus paper red.
A base turns red litmus paper blue.

b. Turmeric: Turmeric is another natural indicator. Turmeric is yellow in colour. Turmeric solution or
paper turns reddish brown with base. Turmeric does not change colour with acid.

c. Red Cabbage: The juice of red cabbage is originally purple in colour. Juice of red cabbage turns
reddish with acid and turns greenish with base.

2. Olfactory Indicators: Substances which change their smell when mixed with acid or base are
known as olfactory indicators. For example- Onion, vanilla etc.

a. Onion: Paste or juice of onion loses its smell when added with base. It does not change its smell
with acid.

b. Vanilla: The smell of vanilla vanishes with base, but its smell does not vanish with an acid.
Olfactory Indicators are used to ensure the participation of visually impaired students in the
laboratory.

3. Synthetic Indicators: Indicators that are synthesized in the laboratory are known as synthetic
indicators. For example; Phenolphthalein, methyl orange, etc.

a. Phenolphthalein is a colourless liquid. It remains colourless with acid but turns into pink with a
base.

b. Methyl orange is originally orange in colour. It turns into the red with acid and turns into yellow
with base.
 ACIDS:
Properties of Acids:
 Acids have a sour taste.
 Turns blue litmus red.
 Release H+ ions in aqueous solution or dissolve in water to release H + ions.
 Corrosive in nature.
 Conducts electricity in aqueous solutions.
 Examples: Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Acetic Acid (CH3COOH), Nitric Acid (HNO3) etc.

Types of Acids
Acids are divided into two types on the basis of their occurrence i.e., Natural acids and Mineral acids.
(i) Natural Acids: Acids which are obtained from natural sources are called natural acids or organic
acids.
Examples:
a. Methanoic acid (HCOOH)
b. Acetic acid (CH3COOH)
c. Oxalic acid (C2H2O4) etc.
(ii) Mineral Acids: Acids that are prepared from minerals are known as mineral acids. Inorganic acids,
man-made acids or synthetic acids are also known as mineral acids.
Examples:
a. Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
b. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
c. Nitric acid (HNO3)
d. Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
e. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) etc.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACIDS

1) Reaction of acids with metals

Acids, in general, react with metals to produce salt and hydrogen gas. Bases, in general, do not
react with metals and do not produce hydrogen gas.
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen + Heat
Examples
a. Hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with
magnesium metal.
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(↑)
Magnesium + Hydrochloric acid + → Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen

b. Hydrogen gas and sodium sulphate are formed when sulphuric acid reacts with
sodium metal.
2Na(s) + H2SO4(aq) → 2Na2SO4(aq) + H2(↑)
Sodium + Sulphuric acid → Sodium sulphate + Hydrogen

Note: This is only applicable for sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid as nitric acid is a strong
oxidizing agent so it will oxidize hydrogen to water and itself gets reduce to form NO 2, N2O, N2,
NH3.
But, there are two metals which react with HNO 3 i.e. Magnesium(Mg) and Manganese (Mn) but
the condition is, we need to take very very dilute nitric acid so that its oxidizing effect gets
minimized.
Experiment – To illustrate the reaction of acids with active metals:

 Take about 5 mL of dilute sulphuric acid in a test tube and add a few pieces of zinc
granules to it.
 What do you observe on the surface of zinc granules?
 Pass the gas being evolved through the soap solution.
 Why are bubbles formed in the soap solution?
 Take a burning candle near a gas filled bubble.
 What do you observe?
 Repeat this Activity with some more acids like HCl, HNO3 and CH3COOH.
 Are the observations in all the cases the same or different?

It is observed that a brisk reaction takes place at the surface of zinc granules. This shows
that the reaction is taking place with the evolution of gas.

Test for Hydrogen Gas

The gas evolved after reaction of acid with metal can be tested by bringing a lighted candle
near it. If the gas burns with a pop sound, then it confirms the evolution of hydrogen gas.
Burning with pop sound is the characteristic test for hydrogen gas.

2) Reaction of acids with metal carbonates and bicarbonates

All metal carbonates and hydrogen carbonates react with acids to give a corresponding salt, carbon
dioxide and water. Effervescence indicates liberation of CO2 gas.

Metal carbonate or bicarbonate + Acid → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide

Examples
a. Sulphuric acid gives calcium sulphate, carbon dioxide gas, and water when it reacts
with calcium carbonate.
CaCO3(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) → CaSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (↑)
Calcium carbonate + sulphuric acid → Calcium sulphate + water + carbon dioxide
b. Hydrochloric acid gives carbon dioxide gas, sodium chloride along with water when
reacts with sodium carbonate.
Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (↑)
Sodium carbonate + Hydrochloric acid → Sodium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
c. Nitric acid gives sodium nitrate, water and carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with
sodium carbonate.
Na2CO3(aq) + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2 (↑)
Sodium carbonate + Nitric acid → Sodium nitrate + water + carbon dioxide
d. Sulphuric acid gives magnesium sulphate, carbon dioxide gas and water when it
reacts with magnesium bicarbonate.
Mg(HCO3)2(s) + H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 2CO2 (↑)
Magnesium bicarbonate + Sulphuric acid → Magnesium sulphate + Water + Carbon dioxide
Experiment – To illustrate the reaction of acids with metals carbonates and bicarbonates:

 Take two test tubes, label them as A and B.

 Take about 0.5 g of sodium carbonate (Na 2CO3) in test tube A and about 0.5 g of sodium
hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3) in test tube B.
 Add about 2 mL of dilute HCl to both the test tubes.
 What do you observe?
 Pass the gas produced in each case through lime water (calcium hydroxide solution) as shown.

On passing the carbon dioxide gas evolved through lime water

Carbon dioxide turns lime water milky when passed through it. This is the characteristic test for carbon
dioxide gas.
The gas evolved because of reaction of the acid with metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate turns
lime water milky. This shows that the gas is carbon dioxide gas. This happens because of the formation
of a white precipitate of calcium carbonate.
Ca(OH)2(aq)+ CO2(g) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
Lime water + Carbon dioxide → Calcium carbonate + Water
(milky)
But when excess of carbon dioxide is passed through lime water, the milkiness of lime
water disappears. This happens because of formation of calcium hydrogen carbonate. As
calcium hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water, thus, the milky colour of solution mixture
disappears.

CaCO3(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l) → Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

Calcium carbonate + Carbon dioxide + Water → Calcium bicarbonate
Limestone, chalk and marble are different forms of calcium carbonate.
3) Reaction of acids with bases - Neutralisation Reaction

An acid neutralizes a base when they react with each other and respective salt and water are
formed.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
 Examples:
a. Sodium chloride and water are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium
hydroxide (a strong base).
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O(l)
Hydrochloric acid + Sodium hydroxide → Sodium chloride + Water

b. Calcium sulphate and water are formed when sulphuric acid reacts with calcium
hydroxide (a strong base).
H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 → CaSO4 + H2O(l)
Sulphuric acid + Calcium hydroxide → Calcium sulphate + Water

c. Calcium chloride is formed along with water when hydrochloric acid reacts with
calcium hydroxide (a strong base).
HCl + Ca(OH)2 → CaCl2 + H2O(l)
Hydrochloric acid + Calcium hydroxide → Calcium chloride + Water

4) Reaction of acids with metal oxides and hydroxides

Like metal hydroxides, metal oxides are basic in nature and they will also neutralize the acid by
forming salt and water.
Metal oxide/hydroxide + acid → Salt + Water

(Metal oxides and hydroxides are basic in nature)

Examples:
a. CaO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2 + H2O(l)
Calcium oxide + Hydrochloric acid → Calcium chloride + Water

b. CuO + 2 HCl(aq) → CuCl2 + H2O(l)

Copper oxide + Hydrochloric acid → Copper chloride + Water

c. Mg(OH)2(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4 + H2O(l)

Magnesium hydroxide + Sulphuric acid → Magnesium sulphate + Water

BASES

Properties of Bases:
 Have a bitter taste.
 Soapy to touch.
 Turns red litmus blue.
 Conducts electricity in solution.
 Release OH– ions in aqueous solution.
 They are comprised of metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and metal
bicarbonates.
 Most of them are insoluble in water.
 Examples - Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) – NaOH
Calcium hydroxide – Ca(OH)2
Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) – (KOH)
 Types of bases
Bases can be divided in two types:

(i) Water soluble – The base that ionizes in water is soluble and is called as an alkali. The
hydroxide of alkali and alkaline earth metals are soluble in water. These are also known as
alkali.
Examples - Sodium hydroxide - NaOH, Potassium hydroxide – KOH
 An alkali is an aqueous solution of a base, (mainly metallic hydroxides).
 It dissolves in water and dissociates to give OH− ion.
 All alkalis are bases, but not all bases are alkalis.

(ii) Water-insoluble – The base that does not ionize in water is called the insoluble base.
Examples – Copper hydroxide – Cu(OH)2, Calcium hydroxide - Ca(OH)2

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BASES:

1) Reaction of base with metals

When alkali (base) reacts with metal, it produces salt and hydrogen gas.

Alkali + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen + heat

Examples
a. Sodium hydroxide gives hydrogen gas and sodium zincate when reacts with zinc
metal.
2NaOH (aq) + Zn(s) → Na2ZnO2(aq) + H2(g)
Sodium hydroxide + Zinc → Sodium zincate + Hydrogen

b. Sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas are formed when sodium hydroxide reacts with
aluminium metal.
2NaOH (aq) + Al(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaAlO2(aq) + 3H2(g)
Sodium hydroxide + Aluminium + Water → Sodium aluminate + Hydrogen

2) Reaction of Base with Oxides of Non-metals

Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature.
For example- Carbon dioxide is a non-metal oxide. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water it
produces carbonic acid.
Therefore, when a base reacts with non-metal oxide, both neutralize each other resulting
respective salt and water.

Base + Non-metal oxide → Salt + Water

(Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature)

Examples:
a. Sodium hydroxide gives sodium carbonate and water when it reacts with carbon
dioxide.
2NaOH (aq) + CO2(g) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
Sodium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide → Sodium carbonate + Water

b. Calcium hydroxide gives calcium carbonate and water when it reacts with carbon
dioxide.
Ca(OH)2 (aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(aq) + H2O(l)
Calcium hydroxide + Carbon dioxide → Calcium carbonate + Water
3) Reaction of acids with bases - Neutralisation Reaction – already discussed above.

WHAT DO ALL ACIDS AND BASES IN COMMON

Common in all acids

Acids give hydrogen gas when they react with metal. This shows that all acids contain
hydrogen.

Examples- Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Nitric acid (HNO3) etc.

When an acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydrogen. The dissociation of hydrogen ion in
aqueous solution is the common property in all acids. Because of the dissociation of hydrogen
ion in aqueous solution, an acid shows acidic behaviour.

Examples:
a. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) gives hydrogen ion (H+) and chloride ion (Cl–) when it is
dissolved in water.
HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
Hydrochloric acid → Hydrogen ions + Chloride ions

b. Acetic acid (CH3COOH) gives acetate ion (CH3COO–) and hydrogen ion (H+).
CH3COOH(aq) → CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)
Acetic acid → Acetate ions + Hydrogen ions

c. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) gives hydrogen ion (H+) and chloride ion (SO42-) when it is
dissolved in water.
H2SO4 (aq) → H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
Sulphuric acid → Hydrogen ions + Sulphate ions

These H+ ions which are produced in all the reactions are unstable, so they combine
with water to form hydronium ions.
H+ + H2O → H3O+
Hydrogen ions + Water → Hydronium ions

As each H+ ion can combine with a number of water molecules

Common in all bases

A base dissociates hydroxide ion in water, which is responsible for the basic behaviour of a
compound.

Examples:
a. When sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydroxide ion and
sodium ion.
NaOH(aq) → Na+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
Sodium hydroxide → Sodium ion + Hydroxide ion

b. When potassium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydroxide ion and

potassium ion.
KOH(aq) → K+ (aq) + OH-(aq)
Potassium hydroxide → Potassium ion + Hydroxide ion

Thus, the base shows its basic character because of dissociation of hydroxide ion.
 Activity – To illustrate that acidic and basic solutions conduct electricity in water

 Take solutions of glucose, alcohol, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide etc.
 Fix two nails on a cork, and place the cork in a 100 mL beaker.
 Connect the nails to the two terminals of a 6 volt battery through a bulb and a switch, as
shown in the diagram.
 Now pour some dilute HCl in the beaker and switch on the current.
 Repeat with dilute sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide.
 What do you observe?
 Repeat the experiment separately with glucose and alcohol solutions.
 What do you observe now?
 Does the bulb glow in all cases?

 We will observe that the bulb will start glowing in the case of acids and bases. But will
not glow in glucose and alcohol solutions.
 Glowing of the bulb indicates that there is a flow of electric current through the solution.
 The electric current is carried through the acidic solution by ions. Acids contain H + ion as
cation and anion such as Cl – in HCl, NO3– in HNO3, SO42–in H2SO4, CH3COO– in
CH3COOH. Since the cation present in acids is H+, this suggests that acids produce
hydrogen ions, H+ (aq), in solution, which are responsible for their acidic properties.
 The electric current is carried through the basic solution by ions. Bases contain OH- ion
as anion and cation such as Na+ in NaOH, K+ in KOH. Since the anion present in bases
is OH-, this suggests that bases produce hydroxyl ions, OH- (aq), in solution, which are
responsible for their basic properties.
 What happens to an Acid or a base in a water solution?

 Take about 1g solid NaCl in a clean and dry test tube and set up the apparatus as shown in
the above diagram.
 Add some concentrated sulphuric acid to the test tube.
 What do you observe? Is there a gas coming out of the delivery tube?
 Test the gas evolved successively with dry and wet blue litmus paper.
 In which case does the litmus paper change colour?
 On the basis of the above Activity, what do you infer about the acidic character of:
(i) dry HCl gas (ii) HCl solution?

We will observe that in dry HCl gas, hydrogen ions are not produced whereas in case of HCl
solution, hydrogen ions are produced. This suggests that hydrogen ions in HCl are produced in
the presence of water. The separation of H+ ion from HCl molecules cannot occur in the
absence of water.

Dilution of acid and base

 Take 10 mL water in a beaker.

 Add a few drops of concentrated H2SO4 to it and swirl the beaker slowly.
 Touch the base of the beaker.
 Is there a change in temperature?
 Is this an exothermic or endothermic process?
 Repeat the above Activity with sodium hydroxide pellets and record your observations.

We will observe that the dilution of acid or base is exothermic. Thus, acid or base is always
added to water and water is never added to acid or base. If water is added to a
concentrated acid or base, a lot of heat is generated, which may cause splashing out of acid or
base and may cause severe damage as concentrated acid and base are highly corrosive.
 The concentration of hydrogen ion in an acid and hydroxide ion in a base, per unit volume,
shows the concentration of acid or base.
 The concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) or hydronium ion (H3O+) per unit volume decreases
when acid is diluted. It decreases because on adding water the H + ions of the acid and
hydroxyl ions of water react to form water molecules and the concentration of hydronium ions
decreases.
 Similarly, by addition of base to water, the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) per unit
volume decreases because concentration is the number of ions per unit volume. After dilution
volume increases, hence the concentration of hydroxide ions decreases.
 This process of addition of acid or base to water is called dilution and the acid or base is
called diluted.

Strength of Acid and Base

Acids
a. Strong Acids
An acid which gets completely ionised in water and produces a large amount of hydrogen
ions (H+) is called strong acid.
Examples: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Nitric acid (HNO3)
b. Weak Acids
An acid which gets partially ionised in water and thus produces a small amount of hydrogen
ions (H+) is called a weak acid.
Examples: Acetic acid (CH3COOH), Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

Bases
a. Strong bases
A base which gets completely ionised in water and produces a large amount of hydroxide
ions (OH-) is called strong base.
Examples: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Calcium hydroxide
Ca(OH)2, Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2
b. Weak Bases
A base which gets partially ionised in water and thus produces a small amount of hydroxide
ions (OH-) is called a weak base.
Examples: Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH)
pH Chemistry

In 1909 Sørensen, a Danish chemist, introduced the concept of pH as a convenient way of

expressing acidity. The full form of pH is the “Potential of Hydrogen.” The meaning of pH is
defined as the strength or power of hydrogen. The concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution,
or pH, is a measure of the solution's acidity or basicity.

pH = -log [H+]

A pH scale is a tool for measuring acids and bases. The scale ranges from 0-14. Litmus paper
is an indicator used to tell if a substance is an acid or a base. The colour of the paper matches
up with the numbers on the pH scale to indicate what kind of substance is being tested. For
example, Vinegar is an acid and measures 2.4 on the pH scale.

The pH of a solution varies from 0 to 14.

The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14. A
pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is basic.

Solutions having the value of pH equal to 0 are known to be strongly acidic

solutions. Further, the acidity decreases as the value of pH increases from 0 to 7 whereas,
solutions with the value of pH equal to 14 are termed as strongly basic solutions.

The basicity decreases as the value of pH decreases from 14 to 7. The strength of acids and
bases depends on the number of H+ and OH– ions produced. Acids furnishing more number of
H+ ions are known to be strong acids and vice versa.

For water or neutral solutions: pH = 7

For acidic solutions: pH < 7
For basic solutions: pH > 7
Universal Indicator

A universal indicator is a mixture of indicators which shows a gradual but well-marked series of
colour changes over a very wide range of change in concentration of H + ions.

 Using a litmus paper, phenolphthalein, methyl orange, etc. only the acidic or basic
character of a solution can be determined, but the use of these indicators does not give
the idea about the strength of acid or base.
 So, to get the strength as well as acidic and basic nature of a given solution universal
indicator is used.
 Universal indicator shows different colour over the range of pH value from 1 to 14 for a
given solution.
 Universal indicator is available both in the form of strips and solution.
 Universal indicator is the combination of many indicators, such as water, propanol,
phenolphthalein, sodium salt, sodium hydroxide, methyl red, bromothymol blue
monosodium salt, and thymol blue monosodium salt.
 The colour matching chart is supplied with a universal indicator which shows the different
colours for different values of pH.

pH value shown by different colours role of pH everyday life:

(i) pH in our digestive system: Dilute HCl (Hydrochloric acid) helps in digestion of food
(proteins) in our stomach. Excess acid in stomach causes acidity (indigestion). Antacids like
magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] also known as milk of magnesia and sodium hydrogen
carbonate (baking soda) are used to neutralize excess acid.

(ii) Tooth decay caused by acids: Tooth enamel ismade up of calcium hydroxyapatite (a
crystalline form of calcium phosphate) is the hardest substance in the body. It does not dissolve
in water, but is corroded when the pH in the mouth is below 5.5. The bacteria present in our
mouth converts the sugar into acids. When the pH of acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5,
tooth-decaying starts. The excess acid has to be removed by cleaning the teeth with good
quality toothpaste because these kinds of toothpaste are alkaline in nature.

(iii) pH of soil and plant growth: Most of the plants have a healthy growth when the soil has a
specific pH (close to 7) range which should be neither alkaline nor highly acidic.

When the soil is too acidic, it should be treated with bases like quick lime (calcuim oxide) or
slaked lime (calcium hydroxide). If the soil is basic, organic matter, aluminium sulphate and
peat should be added which neutralises the basic nature of soil.
 (iv) Self defence by animals and plants through chemical warfare: Bee-sting leaves an acid
which causes pain and irritation. Use of a mild base like baking soda on the stung area gives
relief. Wasp sting is basic which causes pain and irritation. Use of a mild acid like vinegar on the
stung area gives relief. Stinging hair of nettle leaves inject methanoic acid causing burning pain.

(v) Are plants and animals pH sensitive?: Our body works within the pH range of 7.0 to 7.8.
Living organisms can survive only in a narrow range of pH change. When pH of rain water is
less than 5.6, it is called acid rain. When acid rain flows into the rivers, it lowers the pH of the
river water. The survival of aquatic life in such rivers becomes difficult.

SALTS

Salts are the ionic compounds which are produced after the neutralization reaction between
acid and base. Salts are electrically neutral. There are number of salts but sodium chloride is
the most common among them. Sodium chloride is also known as table salt or common salt.
Sodium chloride is used to enhance the taste of food.

Characteristics of salt:

 Most of the salts are crystalline solid.

 Salts may be transparent or opaque.
 Most of the salts are soluble in water.
 Solution of the salts conducts electricity in their molten state also.
 The salt may be salty, sour, sweet, bitter and umami (savoury).
 Neutral salts are odourless.
 Salts can be colourless or coloured.

Family of Salt: Salts having common acidic or basic radicals are said to belong to the same
family.
Example:
(i) Sodium chloride (NaCl) and Calcium chloride (CaCl 2) belongs to chloride family.
(ii) Calcium chloride (CaCl 2) and Calcium sulphate (CaSO4) belongs to calcium family.
(iii) Zinc chloride (ZnCl 2) and Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) belongs to the zinc family.

Neutral, Acidic and Basic Salts:

(i) NEUTRAL SALTS

Salts produced because of reaction between a strong acid and strong base are neutral in
nature. The pH value of such salts is equal to 7, i.e. neutral.
Examples: Sodium chloride, sodium sulphate. potassium chloride, etc.

a. Sodium chloride (NaCl): It is formed after the reaction between hydrochloric acid (a strong
acid) and sodium hydroxide (a strong base).

b. Sodium Sulphate (Na2SO4): It is formed after the reaction between sodium hydroxide (a
strong base) and sulphuric acid ( a strong acid).
 c. Potassium Chloride (KCl): It is formed after the reaction between potassium hydroxide (a
strong base) and hydrochloric acid (a strong acid).

(ii) ACIDIC SALTS

Salts which are formed after the reaction between a strong acid and weak base are called
Acidic salts. The pH value of acidic salt is lower than 7.
Examples: Ammonium sulphate, Ammonium chloride, etc.

a. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) - It is formed after reaction between hydrochloric acid (a

strong acid) and ammonium hydroxide (a weak base).

b. Ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4 - It is formed after reaction between ammonium hydroxide

(a weak base) and sulphuric acid (a strong acid).

(iii) BASIC SALTS

Salts which are formed after the reaction between a weak acid and strong base are called Basic
Salts.
Examples: Sodium carbonate, Sodium acetate, etc.

a. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) - It is formed after the reaction between sodium hydroxide (a
strong base) and carbonic acid (a weak acid).

b. Sodium acetate(CH3COONa) – It is formed after the reaction between a strong base,

sodium hydroxide (a strong base) and acetic acid, (a weak acid).

Cause of formation of acidic, basic and neutral salts:

 When a strong acid reacts with a weak base, the base is unable to fully neutralize the acid.
Due to this, an acidic salt is formed.
 When a strong base reacts with a weak acid, the acid is unable to fully neutralize the base.
Due to this, a basic salt is formed.
 When equally strong acid and a base react, they fully neutralize each other. Due to this, a
neutral salt is formed.
 pH value of salt:

 Neutral salt: The pH value of a neutral salt is almost equal to 7.

 Acidic salt: The pH value of an acidic salt is less than 7.
 Basic salt: The pH value of a basic salt is more than 7.

SOME IMPORTANT CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS

1. COMMON SALT (SODIUM CHLORIDE) (NaCl)

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is also known as common or table salt. It is formed after the reaction
between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. It is a neutral salt. The pH value of sodium
chloride is about 7. Sodium chloride is used to enhance the taste of food. Sodium chloride is
used in the manufacturing of many chemicals and is used as an important raw material for
various materials of daily use, such as sodium hydroxide, baking soda, washing soda,
bleaching powder and many more.

Seawater contains many salts dissolved in it. Sodium chloride is separated from these salts.
Deposits of solid salt are also found in several parts of the world. These large crystals are often
brown due to impurities. This is called rock salt. Beds of rock salt were formed when seas of
bygone ages dried up. Rock salt is mined like coal.

Important chemicals from sodium chloride

1. SODIUM HYDROXIDE (NaOH)

Sodium hydroxide is a strong base. It is also known as caustic soda. It is obtained by the
electrolytic decomposition of solution of sodium chloride (brine).

In the process of electrolytic decomposition of brine (aqueous solution of sodium chloride), brine
decomposes to form sodium hydroxide. In this process, chlorine is obtained at anode and
hydrogen gas is obtained at cathode as by products. Sodium hydroxide solution is formed near
the cathode. This whole process is known as Chlor – Alkali process.
 Uses of products after the electrolysis of brine:

 Hydrogen gas is used as fuel, margarine, in making of ammonia for fertilizer, etc.
 Chlorine gas is used in water treatment, manufacturing of PVC, disinfectants, CFC, pesticides.
It is also used in the manufacturing of bleaching powder and hydrochloric acid.
 Sodium hydroxide is used for degreasing of metals, manufacturing of paper, soap, detergents,
artificial fibres, bleach, etc.

2. BLEACHING POWDER (CaOCl2)

Bleaching powder is also known as chloride of lime. It is a solid and yellowish white in colour.
Bleaching powder can be easily identified by the strong smell of chlorine.
When calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) reacts with chlorine, it gives calcium oxychloride
(bleaching powder) and water is formed.

Aqueous solution of bleaching powder is basic in nature. The term bleach means removal of
colour. Bleaching powder is often used as bleaching agent. It works because of oxidation.
Chlorine in the bleaching powder is responsible for bleaching effect.

Uses of Bleaching powder:

 Bleaching powder is used as disinfectant to clean water, moss remover, weed killers, etc.
 Bleaching powder is used for bleaching of cotton in textile industry, bleaching of wood pulp in
paper industry.
 Bleaching powder is used as oxidizing agent in many industries, such as textiles industry, paper
industry, etc.

3. BAKING SODA (NaHCO3)

Baking soda is another important product which can be obtained using byproducts of chlor –
alkali process. The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO 3) or
sodium bicarbonate. Bread soda, cooking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarb, bicarb of
soda or simply bicarb, etc. are some other names of baking soda.

Preparation Method

Baking soda is obtained by the reaction of brine with carbon dioxide and ammonia. This is
known as Solvay process.

Brine

In this process, calcium carbonate is used as the source of CO 2 and the resultant calcium oxide
is used to recover ammonia from ammonium chloride.

Properties of Sodium bicarbonate:

 Sodium bicarbonate is white crystalline solid, but it appears as fine powder.

 Sodium hydrogen carbonate is amphoteric in nature.
 Sodium hydrogen carbonate is sparingly soluble in water.
 Thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda).
 When baking soda is heated, it decomposes into sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water.
2NaHCO3 + heat → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
 Sodium carbonate formed after thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate
decomposes into sodium oxide and carbon dioxide on further heating.
Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2
This reaction is known as dehydration reaction.

Uses of Baking soda:

 Baking soda is used in making of baking powder, which is used in cooking as it produces
carbon dioxide which makes the batter soft and spongy.
 Baking soda is used as an antacid.
 Baking soda is used in toothpaste which makes the teeth white and plaque free.
 Baking soda is used in cleansing of ornaments made of silver.
 Since sodium hydrogen carbonate gives carbon dioxide and sodium oxide on strong heating,
thus, it, is used as a fire extinguisher.

4. BAKING POWDER (BAKING SODA + MILD EDIBLE ACID)

Baking powder produces carbon dioxide on heating, so it is used in cooking to make the batter
spongy. Although, baking soda also produces carbon dioxide on heating, but it is not used in
cooking because on heating, baking soda produces sodium carbonate along with carbon
dioxide. The sodium carbonate, thus, produced, makes the taste bitter.

Baking powder is the mixture of baking soda and a mild edible acid. Generally, tartaric acid is
mixed with baking soda to make baking powder.

When baking powder is heated, sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO 3) decomposes to give
CO2 and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). CO2 causes bread and cake fluffy. Tartaric acid helps to
remove bitter taste due to formation of Na 2CO3.

4. WASHING SODA (SODIUM CARBONATE DECAHYDRATE)

Preparation Method
Sodium carbonate is manufactured by the thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen
carbonate obtained by Solvay process.

The sodium carbonate obtained in this process is dry. It is called soda ash or anhydrous sodium
carbonate. Washing soda is obtained by rehydration of anhydrous sodium carbonate.
 Since there are 10 water molecules in washing soda, hence, it is known as Sodium bicarbonate
decahydrate.
Sodium carbonate is a crystalline solid and it is soluble in water when most of the carbonates
are insoluble in water.

Uses of Washing soda:

 It is used in the cleaning of clothes, especially in rural areas.

 In the making of detergent cake and powder.
 In removing the permanent hardness of water.
 It is used in glass, soap and paper industries.

THE WATER OF CRYSTALLIZATION

Water of crystallisation is the fixed number of water molecules present in one formula unit of a
salt. Many salts contain water molecule and are known as Hydrated Salts. The water molecule
present in salt is known as water of crystallization.

ACTIVITY
 Heat a few crystals of copper sulphate in a dry boiling tube.
 What is the colour of the copper sulphate after heating?
 Do you notice water droplets in the boiling tube?
 Where have these come from?
 Add 2-3 drops of water on the sample of copper sulphate obtained after heating.
 What do you observe? Is the blue colour of copper sulphate restored?
Observation
Copper sulphate crystals which seem to be dry contain water of crystallisation. When we heat
the crystals, this water is removed and the salt turns white. If you moisten the crystals again
with water, you will find that blue colour of the crystals reappears.

Examples:
a. Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O) (blue vitriol)
Blue colour of copper sulphate is due to presence of 5 molecules of water. When copper
sulphate is heated, it loses water molecules and turns: into grey – white colour, which is known
as anhydrous copper sulphate. After adding water, anhydrous copper sulphate becomes blue
again.
CuSO4.5H2O + heat → CuSO4 + 5H2O
Copper sulphate Copper sulphate
(hydrated) (anhydrous)

b. Iron sulphate septahydrate (FeSO4.7H2O) (green vitriol)

Green colour of iron sulphate is due to presence of 7 molecules of water. When iron sulphate is
heated, it loses water molecules and turns: into grey – white colour, which is known as
anhydrous iron sulphate. After adding water, anhydrous iron sulphate becomes green again.

FeSO4.7H2O + heat → FeSO4 + 7H2O

Iron sulphate Iron sulphate
(hydrated) (anhydrous)

PLASTER OF PARIS:
On heating gypsum at 373 K, it loses water molecules and becomes calcium sulphate
hemihydrate (CaSO4.1/2H2O). This is called Plaster of Paris, the substance which doctors use
as plaster for supporting fractured bones in the right position. Plaster of Paris is a white powder
and on mixing with water, it changes to gypsum(CaSO4.2H2O) once again giving a hard solid
mass.

Uses of plaster of Paris are:

 Used in making casts and patterns for moulds and statue.

 Used as cement in ornamental casting and for making decorative materials.
 Used as a fire proofing material and for making chalks.
 Used in hospitals for immobilising the affected part in case of bone fracture or strain.
 Chemical Names, Symbols and Common Names

S. Chemical Name Common Name Formula

No.

1. Copper sulphate pentahydrate Blue Vitriol CuSO4.5H2O

2. Iron sulphate heptahydrate Green Vitriol FeSO4.7H2O
3. Zinc sulphate heptahydrate White Vitriol ZnSO4.7H2O
4. Cobalt sulphate heptahydrate Red Vitriol CoSO4.7H2O
5. Sodium chloride Common Salt NaCl
6. Magnesium hydroxide Milk of magnesia Mg(OH)2
7. Sodium hydroxide Caustic Soda NaOH
8. Potassium hydroxide Caustic Potash KOH
9. Calcium oxide Lime/ Quick lime CaO
10. Calcium hydroxide Slaked lime/ Lime water Ca(OH)2
11. Calcium Carbonate Marble/ Chalk/ Limestone/ CaCO3
Egg shell

12. Sodium hydrogencarbonate Baking Soda/ Sodium NaHCO3

bicarbonate

13. Sodium hydrogencarbonate + Baking Powder NaHCO3+

mild edible acid(tartaric acid) Tartaric acid

14. Calcium oxychloride/ Calcium Bleaching Powder/ CaOCl2

hypochlorite Chloride of lime
15. Sodium carbonate decahydrate Washing Soda Na2CO3.10H2O
16. Sodium carbonate Soda Ash Na2CO3
17. Calcium sulphate hemihydrate Plaster of Paris CaSO4.1/2H2O
18. Calcium sulphate dihydrate Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O