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ACID BASE CHEMISTRY

TECH 51 SYRACUSE 14

REVIEW
The following slides are intended to serve
as an overview of your text, not a
replacement. You are responsible for all
material in the chapter. Some of the
information has been simplified as
the course is an OVERVIEW and not
intended to be a high school
chemistry class.

DEFINITIONS
If you read most science texts about
acids and bases you will read that acids
always produce hydrogen ions (H+) and
bases produce hydroxide ions (OH-).
But this can get you into trouble as it
does not account for a lot of chemicals
that have properties of acids and bases
where the ions mentioned may not be
present.

Acids
An acid is defined as any substance that
gives away or liberates a hydrogen ion.
Remember that a hydrogen ion is a
proton.
FOR THIS REASON, AN ACID IS
REFERRED TO AS ANY SUBSTANCE
THAT IS A PROTON DONOR.

Hydrogen Ion
So an acid liberates a hydrogen ion.
Since a hydrogen ATOM is composed of
ONE proton and ONE electron, then the
ion must be different. Hydrogen DOES
NOT want to lose the electron, but it is a
very small atom and it loses most tug of
wars with larger atoms. This results in a
single proton with no electron. The
proton goes crazy and seeks out
electrons. This is where water comes
into play.

Hydronium Ion
A hydronium ion is formed when the
proton from the Hydrogen Ion combines
with a molecule of water. If you
remember, water is covalently bonded
and the atoms share electrons unevenly.
This means that the proton, with a
positive charge, will combine to the
negatively charged part of the water
molecule. -SEE NEXT SLIDE-

HYDRONIUM ION
WHEN THE WATER ACTS AS A
BASE AND ACCEPTS THE
PROTON THE ION THAT
FORMS IS CALLED A
HYDRONIUM ION.
NOTICE THAT IT IS ACTUALLY
A POLYATOMIC MOLECULE
WITH A CHARGE OF +1.
See the next slide for a
different example.

Here you see two different pictures showing the same thing. For a
hydronium ion to form, the hydrogen ion combines with the water to
form the hydronium ion. Technically, the acid is the H3O+ but we
will write it as H+.

HERE YOU CAN SEE THAT WHEN HCl IS ADDED TO WATER, THE WATER
ACTUALLY ACTS LIKE A BASE. HOW? SINCE THE HCl GIVES A PROTON, IT IS
AN ACID (BY DEFINITION see previous slide 4). SINCE THE WATER IS
ACCEPTING THE PROTON IT BECOMES A BASE (AGAIN, BY DEFINITION, see
slide 5).

BASES
Bases receive protons, so by this definition, a
base is defined as any substance that
receives a hydrogen ion.
BASES ARE PROTON ACCEPTORS.
(or proton receiver)
Years ago, bases were defined as anything
that liberated (gave off) a OH- ion, but this
definition did not account for many things
that had properties of a base but no OH.

HYDROXIDE IONS
Hydroxide ions can be formed when
substances are added to water, such as
ammonia, or liberated when compounds
dissociate in water releasing hydroxide
ions. For example, when the substance
NaOH is added to water, it separates
forming Na+ and OH-.

Ammonia
When ammonia (NH3) is added to water it
acts as a base as it is a proton acceptor.
This results in the formation of a OH- ion.

NOTICE THAT THIS MEANS THAT WATER IS NOW AN ACID.


EARLIER IT WAS A BASE.

AMPHOTERIC
This is the term that is given to a
substance that has about the same
ability to behave as an acid as it does a
base. Since water behaves in this way,
it is a good example of a substance that
is amphoteric.

PROPERITES
ACIDS-proton donor
Taste sour
pH less than 7
Turn litmus red
Neutralize base
+ metal H2

Conduct electricity
Turn congo red blue

BASES-proton acceptor

Taste bitter

pH greater than 7

Turn litmus blue

Neutralize acid

Feel slippery

Conduct electricity

Turn PHTH pink

SALT
When you are sitting at the dinner table and
your parents ask you to pass the salt they
are asking specifically for NaCl. It is a salt
though, because it is a metal, Na+, and a
nonmetal, Cl-.
By definition though,
A SALT IS ANY IONIC COMPOUND
FORMED WHEN A METAL AND ANY
NONMETAL COMBINE, except H and OH
(this forms water, covalently bonded)

STRENGTH
What makes a substance have the
characteristics of an acid or base is the
ability to form ions. When an acid or base
forms ions then the characteristics of an
acid or base form. If ions form easily,
then a substance is said to be
STRONG. If a chemical does not form
ions easily, then it is said to be WEAK.
This goes against what you might think as
a strong bond will hold onto an atom
more tightly than a weaker bond.

CONCENTRATION
It is the ION that forms that causes the
characteristics of the acid or base, not
the actual acid or base. So, keeping
this in mind, it is the number of
these ions that affect the properties
of the solution that the acid or base
is dissolved in. One method to
determine how concentrated a solution
is would be to check the ability to
conduct electricity.

IONS AND ELECTRICITY


Ions must be present for electricity to
flow. Pure water has no ions and therefore
will not conduct electricity. If an acid or
base is dissolved in pure water, the degree
to which it is dissolved can be determined
by how much electricity is conducted. The
more a substance dissolves AND DISSOCIATES
(forms ions), the more electricity is conducted. These
substances are called ELECTROLYTES.

pH
pH refers to power of Hydrogen. It is a
mathematical calculation of the negative
logarithm of the hydronium ion
concentration:

pH = -log[H3O]

Since
this is an overview course, we
will never calculate pH.

pH Scale
pH is a scale used to
measure the
concentration of the
hydronium ion. A pH of
7 is NEUTRAL. A pH
less than 7 is ACIDIC.
Greater than 7 is BASIC.
Since it is logarithmic,
you need to remember
that a pH of 5 is 10
TIMES GREATER
THAN A pH of 6.

INDICATORS
Indicators are chemicals that are
used to test for the presence of
other chemicals by color changes.
With acid base chemistry most
people think of LITMUS. In Acid,
LITMUS turns RED. In Base,
LITMUS turns BLUE.

PHTH and Congo Red


We will use two other indicators in
lab, PHENOLTHTHALEIN (PHTH) and
Congo Red. PHTH will be used to test for
Base. In the presence of OH Base, PHTH
will turn a pink color. The more intense the
PINK, the more OH is present. Congo Red
tests for Acid. In the presence of an acid, it
will turn dark blue.

Indicators vs. pH Meters


Indicators will not be as accurate as pH
meters since the Hydronium or
Hydroxide ion must be present for the
indicator to react. Therefore, when you
see a color change, you know that the
pH of the solution is NOT a pH of 7 but
actually a bit above or below depending
on the indicator used.

ACIDIC RAIN vs. ACID


RAIN
There is a difference between acidic rain
and acid rain. All rain is acidic. This is
because there is carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. This carbon dioxide
combines with water to form
CARBONIC ACID.
CO2 + H2O H2CO3
Carbonic acid formation is why soft drink
companies add carbon dioxide to soda.
It actually flavors the drink. A flat soda
will taste sweeter.

Carbonic Acid
CO2 + H2O H2CO3

Carbonic acid is not a very strong acid and


easily breaks down into carbon dioxide and
water. It is the reason that carbon dioxide is
added to sodas. When the carbon dioxide
forms carbonic acid, it gives a slight acidic
flavoring to the drink. This is why a flat
soda will taste different than a carbonated
beverage.

Testing for CO2


The fact that carbon dioxide combines
with water to form carbonic acid should
bring back memories. Remember testing
for carbon dioxide with phenol red?
Remember how it took a short time for
the color to change? Phenol red actually
tests for ACID.
So what does that mean?

Carbonic acid will cause rain water to have a


natural pH between 5 7. When other factors react to
lower the pH of rain below a pH of 5, such as nitrates and
sulfates, then rain is considered to be ACID RAIN.
When rain water is acidic is has dire effects on the
ecosystem as well as leaching toxic metals from
the soil. This indirectly affects you as some of the
metals include Al, which has dire effects on the
body.

Carbonic Acid Blood


Carbonic acid also builds up in your blood
as well. When this happens you
automatically have built in buffering
systems to keep the pH of your blood at
a constant pH level of about 7.3 7.4.
(Your body makes bicarbonates). This is
also the reason that you cannot hold
your breath indefinitely. You have to
exhale the Carbon Dioxide.

Where does the CO2 go?


Atmospheric CO2 is increasing, but not at
the rate that is consistent with its
production. So where is it going? The
answer is the ocean. The ocean is
acting as a giant sink that is absorbing
excess CO2. The problem is that we are
producing it faster than the ocean can
absorb it.

NITRATES AND
SULFATES
Nitrates and Sulfates, like carbon dioxide,
react with water in the atmosphere to
form NITRIC ACID and SULFURIC
ACID.
These acids, in conjunction with the
carbonic acid, cause the pH of rain to
drop well below a pH of 5. When this
happens a domino effect of negative
consequences begin to occur to the
ecosystem.

Antacids vs. Base


Antacids are typically bases that
neutralize acids inside your stomach.
Typically, the stomach pH is between 2
or 3. When it drops below this, people
may experience acid indigestion.
Antacids do not necessarily raise
stomach pH to 7, they just increase it
from below 2 to between 2 or 3. You do
not want a pH of 7 in your stomach.

Effects of Metals
There are four primary metals that
accompany base ions with antacid
products. Each metal has specific
affects on the body. These metals are as
follows
Na-sodium
Ca-calcium
Mg-magnesium
Al-aluminum

Sodium-Na
Sodium is an essential element for the proper
functioning of the body. It helps to maintain
proper fluid levels, assist in nerve impulses,
and helps muscles contract and relax. Your
kidneys regulate your sodium levels. People
who have difficulty regulating sodium will
begin to retain more fluids. This elevates
blood pressure as well as increases blood
volume, making the heart work harder.

HIGH SODIUM FOODS/


Can the Cans
Canned and pre-packed foods tend to be higher in sodium than
their fresh counterparts. This is especially true of soups, frozen
dinners and other convenience foods, as well as dehydrated
powders for making sauces and salad dressings. Other foods high
in sodium include:
Soy sauce
Catsup
Worcestershire sauce
Chili sauce
Mustard
Pickles and relishes
Olives
Processed cheese and cheese spread
Baking powder, baking soda and most baked goods, which contain
these ingredients
Canned or frozen vegetables in sauce
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Frankfurters, cured ham, sausages and luncheon meats

Salted nuts, chips and other snack foods


Any food additive with the word "sodium" (sodium
benzoate, a preservative; sodium phosphate, an

Ca-Calcium
Calcium is one of the most essential
elements in the body as it is used in
bones, teeth, soft tissues, and many
metabolic processes. It regulates
permeability of cells as well as clotting
of blood, muscle contractions, and nerve
functions. Calcium helps to regulate
blood pressure.

Foods rich in Calcium


Food with Calcium
Dairy products
Milk
Swiss cheese
Yogurt
American cheese
Ice cream or frozen
dessert
Cottage cheese
Parmesan cheese
Powdered nonfat milk
Sardines in oil (with
bones)
Canned salmon (with
bones)
Broccoli
Soybean curd (tofu)
Turnip greens
Kale
Corn bread

Serving
size

1 cup
1 oz (slice)
1 cup
1 oz (slice)

Calcium per
serving (mg)*

290-300
250-270
240-400
165-200

1/2 cup

90-100

1/2 cup
1 Tbs
1 tsp

80-100
70
50

3 oz

370

3 oz

170-210

1 cup
4 oz
1/2 cup,
cooked
1/2 cup,
cooked
2 1/2-in.
square

160-180
145-155
100-125
90-100
80-90

Mg-Magnesium
Magnesium is the second most common
mineral in the body, behind calcium. Most
is found in the bones and muscles (86%)
while the rest is found in the brain, heart,
liver, kidney, and blood. Mg is used in over
300 enzyme reactions of the body. It is
used to synthesize nucleic acids, proteins,
relax muscles, prevent kidney stones, and
helps prevent diabetes. Mg is also used to
help regulate blood pressure.

Whole food sources of Magnesium


Magnesium
(mg)

Whole Food Sources

Serving

Brown rice, cooked

1 cup

83.8

Almonds, raw

1 ounce

81.1

Spinach, cooked

1/2 cup

78.3

Swiss chard, cooked

1/2 cup

75.2

Lima beans, cooked

1/2 cup

62.9

Avocado
Peanuts*, raw
Hazelnuts, raw
Okra, cooked
Black-eyed peas,
cooked

1 large
1 ounce
1 ounce
1/2 cup

50.0
49.8
49.0
45.6

1/2 cup

42.8

Aluminum
Aluminum has no role in the human body. As of
this time, there are no known organisms that use
aluminum in any of their biological processes. It
is toxic to all living creatures. Aluminum has
been linked to the following: Alzheimers,
Parkinsons, liver disease, cancers, heart
problems, bone disorders, infection, memory
loss, speech disorders, kidney disorders, and the
list goes on. It is estimated that the average
person takes in approximately between 3 and 10
mg of Al per day.

Sources of Al
Al can be absorbed into the body through the digestive
tract, the lungs and the skin, and is also absorbed by and
accumulates in the bodies tissues. Aluminum is found
naturally in our air, water and soil. It is also used in the
process of making cooking pots and pans, utensils and
foil. Other items such as over the counter pain killers,
anti-inflammatory products, can also contain aluminum.
Aluminum is also an additive in most baking powders, is
used in food processing, and is present in antiperspirants,
toothpaste, dental amalgams, bleached flour, and grated
cheese. One of the biggest source of aluminum, however,
comes from our municipal water supplies.

Products containing Al
THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN ALUMINUM-Check the label:
Foods made with aluminized baking powder*, self-rising flour*, and salt. The following are some of these
products:
Microwave popcorn
Salted snacks
Hot cocoa mixes
Coffee creamers
Pickles and relish
*Flour tortillas
*Pizza crust
*Muffins
*Doughnuts
*Cookies
*Pancakes
*Waffles
*Cupcakes
*Cakes
*Baking mixes
*Brownies
*Pastries
*Corn bread
*Banana bread
*Carrot bread
*Dipping batter for fried foods

Products containing Al
Antiperspirents
Many body lotions and creams
Most cosmetics
Shampoos and conditioners
Soaps
Suntan lotions
Lip Balm
Etc.

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