To make various medicines

To manufacture and preserve food Uses of acids and bases

To produce detergents, soaps and shampoos

To use as laboratory reagents

An acid is a chemical substance which ionises in water to produce hydrogen ions, H+ Examples of acids are H2SO4, HCl, and HNO3

A base is a chemical substance which ionises in water to produce hydroxide ions, OH-. It will react with acid to form salt and water only Examples of bases include the metal hydroxide and metal oxides. Some bases can dissolve in water. This soluble bases are known as alkalis. Examples of alkalis are sodium hydroxide, NaOH and potassium hydroxide, KOH

The hydrogen ions, H+ are responsible for acids to show their properties Without water, an acid still exist as molecules and there are no hydrogen ions, H+ present. However in the presence of water, the acid ionises to form hydrogen ions, H+. This cause the acid to show its acidic properties.

HCl dissolves in water and ionises to produce a hydrogen ion, H+ The hydrogen ion combines with a water molecule to form a hydroxonium ion, H3O+ However, this can be written H+

HCl(aq)

H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

What about the ionisation of other acids such as ethanoic acid and sulphuric acid?

Can you write the equation for the ionisation..

What is the role of water to show the properties of base?

Can you write the correct equation to describe the ionisation of base in water?