PROPERTIES OF ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS

ACIDS

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ACIDS

1. It releases H +ions in aqueous solution

2. They are sour in taste
3. They change the colour of moist blue litmus to red
4. They are corrosive in nature
5. They are good conductors of electricity

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACIDS

1. They react with metals to form salt and hydrogen gas is evolved ( Displacement reaction )
Metal + Acid Metal salt + Hydrogen gas

Zn + H2SO4 ZnSO 4 + H2
Mg + 2HCl MgCl2+ H2
2. They react with bases to form salt and water (Neutralisation reaction )
Acid + Base Salt + Water

H2SO4 + 2NaOH Na2SO4 + H2O

HCl + KOH KCl + H2O

3. They react with metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates to form salt, water and carbondioxide gas is
evolved
Metal carbonates / Metal hydrogen carbonates + Acid Metal salt + CO 2 + H2O

CaCO3+ 2HCl CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

Na2CO3+ H2SO4 Na 2 SO4 + CO2 + H2O
NaHCO3+HCl NaCl + CO2+ H2O

4. They react with metal oxides / hydroxides to form salt and water
Metal oxide / hydroxides + Acid Salt + Water

CuO + 2HCl CuCl2 + H2O

(black ) (bluish green )
Mg(OH)2 + 2HCl MgCl2 + 2 H2O

This reaction has an important application. The acidity produced in our stomach due to indigestion is on account of
hydrochloric acid being formed. Milk of magnesia Mg(OH) 2 is given as an antacid medicine to neutralize the acid.
BASES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BASES

1.It releases OH - ions in aqueous solution

2. They are bitter in taste
3. They change the colour of moist red litmus to blue
4.They are corrosive in nature
5. They are slippery or soapy
6. They are good conductors of electricity

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BASES

1..Metals like Zn and Al react with metals to form salt and hydrogen gas is evolved
Metal + Base Metal salt + Hydrogen gas

Zn + 2 NaOH Na2ZnO + H2
2Al + 2 NaOH + 2 H2O 2NaAlO2 + 3 H2

2.They react with acids to form salt and water (Neutralisation reaction )
Acid + Base Salt + Water

H2SO4 + 2NaOH Na2SO4 + H2O

NH4OH + HNO3 NH4NO3 + H2O

3.Theydo not react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates

4.They react with nonmetal oxides to form salt and water
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O