Chapter 18

Salts and neutralization

18.1 Neutralization
18.2 Exothermic nature of neutralization
18.3 Naming of common salts
18.4 Preparation of salts
18.5 Applications of neutralization

Learning goal
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

18.1 • write chemical and ionic equations for neutralization

18.2 • recognize that neutralization is exothermic in nature

18.3 • name the common salts formed from the reaction of acids and alkalis

18.4 • state the general rules of solubility for common salts in water

• describe the techniques used in the preparation, separation and purification of soluble and
insoluble salts

• suggest a method for preparing a particular salt

18.5 • explain some applications of neutralization

Chapter 18 Salts and neutralization

Have you tasted wonton noodles without adding red vinegar to it? If you have, you may have
experienced the bitter taste of the noodles.

Wonton noodles

Wonton noodles are usually treated with alkaline water in order to make them more springy.
However, the alkaline water is bitter in taste. When we eat wonton noodles, we may add red
vinegar to the noodles. The red vinegar contains ethanoic acid which reacts with the alkali in the
noodles. In this way, the bitter taste of wonton noodles can be removed.

Think about...
What type of reaction is involved in the above process?
Neutralization
What substances are produced in this type of reaction?
Salt and water
Are there any other applications of this type of reaction?
Adjusting soil pH, neutralizing excess acid in stomach, treating industrial liquid waste, producing fertilizer, etc.

After studying this chapter, you should be able to answer the above questions.

springy 有彈性
 18 Salts and neutralization

18.1 Neutralization
PowerPoint
What is neutralization? CE2010(II)45
CE2011(II)41
CE2011(II)20
DSEPP2012(IA)19
DSE2014(IA)24

Note 1 When we mix an acid and a base, they destroy the properties of each
Na2CO3 is a salt but not a base. It other. This kind of chemical reaction is called neutralization. That is, an
reacts with acid to give not only
another salt and water, but also acid and a base neutralize each other. The products of neutralization are
carbon dioxide. salt and water only.
neutralization
acid + base salt + water N1
Animation
(Neutralization of
acid and alkali)
E
XTRA
Historical note Neutralization between acid and alkali CE1998(II)13
S

CE2011(II)43
Salt and salary
When we slowly add dilute hydrochloric acid to dilute sodium hydroxide
In ancient Rome, soldiers
were given an allowance solution in a beaker, the pH of the sodium hydroxide solution gradually
to buy salt as part of their decreases to 7. The solution becomes neutral. When we evaporate the
income. The word ‘salary’
originated from the Latin solution to dryness, a white solid is left — it is sodium chloride! The
word ‘salarium’, which equation for the reaction is:
means ‘salt allowance’.
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(,)
acid alkali salt water

+
+ + Na
H Na
neutralization –
Cl
– –
Cl OH
H2O

hydrochloric acid sodium hydroxide solution sodium chloride solution

Figure 18.1 Changes of particles in the neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution.
(Water molecules are not shown in the diagrams of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution).

Written in ionic form:

+ – + – + –
H (aq) + Cl (aq) + Na (aq) + OH (aq) Na (aq) + Cl (aq) + H2O(,)

+ –
Since Na (aq) and Cl (aq) are spectator ions in the reaction, they can N2

be crossed out on both sides of the equation (Figure 18.1). Thus, the ionic
equation is:
+ –
Note 2 CE2010(I)10(c) H (aq) + OH (aq) H2O(,)
Spectator ions are those which
are not involved in a chemical
reaction.
Key point
acid + alkali salt + water

neutral 中性
neutralization 中和作用
neutralize 中和
spectator ion 旁觀離子
3 18
 IV Acids and bases

Neutralization between acid and insoluble metal

hydroxide CE2005(II)38
Iron(III) hydroxide is an insoluble base. When we add dilute nitric acid to
iron(III) hydroxide, the resultant solution will turn yellow. Dilute nitric acid
reacts with iron(III) hydroxide to form iron(III) nitrate and water (Figure
18.2). The equation for the reaction is:

3HNO3(aq) + Fe(OH)3(s) Fe(NO3)3(aq) + 3H2O(,)

acid insoluble metal salt water
hydroxide

0.2 pt
Written in ionic form:
+ 3+
3H (aq) + Fe(OH)3(s) Fe (aq) + 3H2O(,)

iron(III)
Figure 18.2 Dilute nitric acid nitrate
reacts with iron(III) hydroxide iron(III) hydroxide solution
to form iron(III) nitrate and
water.

Key point
acid + insoluble metal hydroxide salt + water

Think about
2+
No. This is because Cu ions
Neutralization between acid and insoluble metal
change from solid state to
aqueous solution in the reaction.
oxide CE2005(II)38
Think about Copper(II) oxide is also an insoluble base. When we add dilute sulphuric
2+
Should the Cu ions acid to copper(II) oxide and warm the mixture gently until all copper(II)
on both sides of the oxide dissolves, the resultant solution will turn blue (Figure 18.3). Dilute
equation
+ 2+ 2–
2H (aq) + Cu O (s) sulphuric acid reacts with copper(II) oxide to form copper(II) sulphate and
2+
Cu (aq) + H2O(,) water. The equation for the reaction is:
be cancelled out?
Why? H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) CuSO4(aq) + H2O(,)
acid insoluble metal salt water
oxide

18 4
 18 Salts and neutralization

Written in ionic form:

+ 2+
2H (aq) + CuO(s) Cu (aq) + H2O(,)

heating

copper(II)
sulphate
copper(II) oxide solution

Figure 18.3 Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with copper(II) oxide to form copper(II) sulphate and
water.

Key point
acid + insoluble metal oxide salt + water

In general, neutralization is the reaction between an acid and a base

(or an alkali) that produces salt and water as the products. It can also be
defined as follows:

Key point
+
Neutralization is the combination of hydrogen ions H and
– 2–
hydroxide ions OH (or oxide ions O ) to form water molecules H2O.
In the process, salt is produced.

H20 Example 18.1

Writing chemical equations and ionic equations for neutralization
Write chemical equations and ionic equations for the following neutralization reactions.
(a) potassium hydroxide + dilute sulphuric acid
(b) magnesium hydroxide + dilute nitric acid

cont’d

5 18
 IV Acids and bases

Solution
(a) Chemical equation:
2KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O()
Since KOH, K2SO4 and H2SO4 dissociate or ionize completely (or almost completely) in water,
they can be written in ionic form:
+ – + 2– + 2–
2K (aq) + 2OH (aq) + 2H (aq) + SO4 (aq) 2K (aq) + SO4 (aq) + 2H2O()
Deleting spectator ions on both sides of the equation:
– +
2OH (aq) + 2H (aq) 2H2O()
Simplifying the ionic equation by dividing it by 2:
– +
OH (aq) + H (aq) H2O()
(b) Chemical equation:
Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Mg(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O()
Since Mg(OH)2 is insoluble in water, magnesium ion in the solid state cannot be written as
2+ 2+
Mg (aq). Mg ions on both sides of the equation cannot be cancelled out.
Ionic equation:
+ 2+
Mg(OH)2(s) + 2H (aq) Mg (aq) + 2H2O()

A18.1
(a) 2NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O()
–
OH (aq) + H (aq)
+
H2O() Class practice 18.1
(b) CH3COOH(aq) + KOH(aq)
CH3COOK(aq) + H2O() Write chemical equations and ionic equations for the following neutralization
–
CH3COOH(aq) + OH (aq)
– reactions:
CH3COO (aq) + H2O() OR
+
H (aq) + OH (aq)
–
H2O()
(a) sodium hydroxide + dilute sulphuric acid
(c) Al(OH)3(s) + 3HNO3(aq) (b) dilute ethanoic acid + potassium hydroxide
Al(NO3)3(aq) + 3H2O() (c) dilute nitric acid + aluminium hydroxide
+ 3+
Al(OH)3(s) + 3H (aq) Al (aq) +
(d) iron(III) oxide + dilute hydrochloric acid
3H2O()
(d) Fe2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) 2FeCl3(aq) + 3H2O()
+ 3+
Fe2O3(s) + 6H (aq) 2Fe (aq) + 3H2O()

18.2 Exothermic nature of neutralization

PowerPoint
The simple set-up shown in Figure 18.4 can be used to measure the
temperature change of neutralization between hydrochloric acid and
sodium hydroxide solution.

HCl(aq)
thermometer

expanded polystyrene cup

NaOH(aq)
Figure 18.4 A simple set-up
for measuring the temperature beaker

change during neutralization. air

18 6
 18 Salts and neutralization

Learning tip
The experimental and
calculation methods
for determining the
heat change of
neutralization will be
further discussed in
Book 3B, Chapter 34.
Experimental results show that there is a rise in temperature of the
reaction mixture during neutralization reaction. We can repeat the
experiment using different combinations of acids and alkalis. The results
would also show that all neutralization reactions give out heat. We say
that neutralization is an exothermic reaction.
CE1998(II)13 CE2008(I)4(b) CE2011(II)12
Key point
Neutralization is an exothermic reaction.

H20 Example 18.2 CE2000(II)11 CE2003(II)30 CE2008(II)37

Determining the temperature change in neutralization

A student performed two experiments to investigate the temperature change in neutralization. He/she
used the simple set-up shown in Figure 18.4 for the experiments. The results were tabulated below:

Experiment Combination of alkali and acid Rise in temperature (°C)

3 3
1 25 cm of 2.0 M NaOH(aq) + 25 cm of 2.0 M HCl(aq) 19.2
3 3
2 50 cm of 2.0 M KOH(aq) + 50 cm of 2.0 M HNO3(aq) 19.0

(a) Explain why an expanded polystyrene cup instead of a beaker is used to hold the solutions in the
experiments. CE2010(I)10(a)
(b) (i) Explain why the reactions in both experiments can be represented by the same ionic
equation.
(ii) Write the ionic equation for the reaction mentioned in (b)(i).
(c) Explain why the temperature changes in both experiments are roughly the same even though
different volumes of solutions are used.

Solution
(a) Expanded polystyrene cup is a poor conductor of heat, which can reduce heat loss to the
surroundings. Thus, the rise in temperature measured will be more accurate.
(b) (i) Strong acids and strong alkalis are involved in the experiments. They completely ionize (for
+ –
acids) or dissociate (for alkalis) to give H (aq) and OH (aq) ions respectively. Thus, the reaction
+ –
is in fact the combination of H (aq) and OH (aq) ions to form water.
+ –
(ii) H (aq) + OH (aq) H2O()
(c) For Experiment 2, although the volumes of the solutions used are doubled, the number of moles
+ –
of H (aq) and OH (aq) reacting are also doubled. Twice as much heat is given out, but this is used
to heat up twice the volume of the solution. As a result, both experiments have roughly the same
rise in temperature.
Try Chapter Exercise Q33

exothermic reaction 放熱反應

7 18
 IV Acids and bases

Experiment 18.1 Experiment Workbook 2

PowerPoint Experiment Investigating the temperature change during neutralization

Video In this experiment, you are going to investigate the temperature change
during the neutralization reaction between sodium hydroxide solution and
hydrochloric acid.

Skill corner 18.1 DSE2014(IA)12

Determining the volume of acid (or alkali) for complete neutralization and the maximum temperature
rise in neutralization
1. Plot a graph of temperature against volume of acid (or alkali) added. See Figure 18.5(a).
2. Draw straight lines of best fit and extend them until they cross. See Figure 18.5(b).

40 40
Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)
35 35

30 30

25 25

20 20

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
3 3
Volume of acid (or alkali) added (cm ) Volume of acid (or alkali) added (cm )
(a) (b)

40
Temperature (°C)

35

30

25

20

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
3
Volume of acid (or alkali) added (cm )
(c)
Figure 18.5 A plot of temperature against volume of acid (or alkali) added.

3. Draw a vertical broken line from the intersection point towards the x-axis. The volume of acid (or
alkali) added for complete neutralization can be found. See Figure 18.5(c).
4. Draw a horizontal broken line from the intersection point towards the y-axis. The maximum
temperature reached can be found. See Figure 18.5(c).
5. The difference between the maximum temperature and the temperature that before acid (or alkali)
is added is the maximum temperature rise in neutralization.

18 8
 18 Salts and neutralization

Class practice 18.2 CE2010(I)10

A18.2
3
(a) 20.0 cm The following graph shows how the temperature of the mixture changed when
(b) For equal molar concentrations of 3
NaOH(aq) and HCl(aq), equal 2.0 M NaOH(aq) was added to 20.0 cm of 2.0 M HCl(aq).
volumes of the acid and the alkali
would neutralize each other
3
completely. As there is 30.0 cm of 35.0
alkali added, it is in excess. Thus,
the resultant solution is alkaline.
30.0
(c) Neutralization is an exothermic

Temperature (°C)
reaction. No more heat is given out
25.0
when the neutralization is complete.
Addition of excess alkali will cool
the reaction mixture. Thus, the 20.0
temperature drops.
(d) (33.0 – 15.0)°C = 18.0°C 15.0
(e) Although the volumes of the acid
and alkali used are doubled, the
+
number of moles of H (aq) and 0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0
–
OH (aq) reacting are also doubled. 3
Volume of NaOH added (cm )
Twice as much heat is given out,
but this is used to heat up twice the
volume of the solution. Hence, the (a) From the graph above, what is the volume of NaOH(aq) needed to
maximum temperature change will
neutralize the acid completely?
be about +18.0°C.
3
(b) After adding 30.0 cm of NaOH(aq), the resultant solution was tested with
pH paper. Predict whether the resultant solution is acidic, neutral or
alkaline. Explain you answer.
(c) Explain why the temperature of the solution dropped after adding more
3
than 20.0 cm of NaOH(aq).
(d) From the graph above, what is the maximum temperature change during
neutralization?
3
(e) If 40.0 cm of 2.0 M HCl(aq) is neutralized by 2.0 M NaOH(aq), what will
be the maximum temperature change? Explain your answer.

18.3 Naming of common salts

PowerPoint
A salt and its parent acid
When the ionizable hydrogen atom in hydrochloric acid is replaced by
sodium ion, the salt sodium chloride forms. Thus, hydrochloric acid is
the parent acid of sodium chloride.

ionizable hydrogen hydrogen atom

atom replaced by metal ion

H Cl(aq) + NaOH(aq) Na Cl(aq) + H2O(,)

parent acid salt

parent acid 母體酸

9 18
 IV Acids and bases

Similarly, when the ionizable hydrogen atom in ethanoic acid is

replaced by sodium ion, the salt sodium ethanoate forms. Thus, ethanoic
acid is the parent acid of sodium ethanoate.

ionizable hydrogen hydrogen atom

atom replaced by metal ion

CH3COO H (aq) + NaOH(aq) CH3COO Na (aq) + H2O(,)

parent acid salt

CE2009(II)48

* Book 1, Section 7.5, p.15 A salt is an *ionic compound formed when the ionizable hydrogen
atom(s) of an acid is/are replaced by metal ion(s) (or ammonium ion(s)). A
salt consists of a cation and an anion. The cation of a salt comes from a
base (or alkali), while the anion of a salt comes from a parent acid.

In formulae of salts formed from inorganic acids (e.g. HCl, HNO3,

H3PO4), the cation is usually written first (e.g. NaCl, KNO3). But in
formulae of salts formed from organic acids (e.g. CH3COOH), the anion
is usually written first (e.g. CH3COONa). Some examples are shown in
Table 18.1.

Parent acid + base Salt formed

H NO3 + NaOH Na NO3 sodium nitrate

nitric acid

H Cl + NH3 NH4 Cl ammonium chloride

hydrochloric acid

CH3COO H + NaOH CH3COO Na sodium ethanoate

ethanoic acid

H2 SO4 + CuO Cu SO4 copper(II) sulphate

sulphuric acid

Table 18.1 Formation of some salts from different acids.

Note 3 Key point

Tell students that not all salts are
neutral. Some salts, for example, A salt is a compound formed when the ionizable hydrogen atom(s) of
NaHSO4, is acidic. When NaHSO4 N3
dissolves in water, an acidic solution an acid is/are replaced by metal ion(s) (or ammonium ion(s)).
–
forms. This is because HSO4 (aq)
+ 2–
ionizes to give H (aq) and SO4 (aq).
water
– + 2–
HSO4 (aq) H (aq) + SO4 (aq)

18 10 inorganic acid 無機酸

organic acid 有機酸
salt 鹽
 18 Salts and neutralization

Rules for naming a salt

Rules for naming ionic compounds apply to salts. Four useful rules for
naming a salt are listed in Table 18.2.

* Book 3B, Section 30.2, p.8

Rule Description Example
The name of the cation (i.e. metal ion or ammonium Na2SO4 is sodium sulphate
1
ion) always comes first.

If the metal can form more than one kind of cations, FeCl2 is iron(II) chloride
2 a Roman numeral in brackets has to be written to FeCl3 is iron(III) chloride
show the *oxidation number of the cation.

If the salt contains one metallic element and one NaCl is sodium chloride
3 non-metallic element, the name of the metal comes
first and the name of the non-metal ends in -ide.

If the anion of the salt is a polyatomic ion which (NH4)2CO3 is ammonium carbonate
4 contains oxygen, the name ends in -ate or -ite. K2SO4 is potassium sulphate
K2SO3 is potassium sulphite

Table 18.2 Rules for naming a salt.

H20 Example 18.3

Naming of common salts
Name each of the following salts and its corresponding parent acid.
(a) CaSO4
(b) Cu(NO3)2
(c) FeCl2
(d) (CH3COO)2Mg
(e) NH4NO3

Solution
(a) Salt: calcium sulphate
(b) Salt: copper(II) nitrate
(c) Salt: iron(II) chloride
(d) Salt: magnesium ethanoate
(e) Salt: ammonium nitrate
Try Chapter Exercise Q8
Parent acid: sulphuric acid
Parent acid: nitric acid
Parent acid: hydrochloric acid
Parent acid: ethanoic acid
Parent acid: nitric acid

oxidation number 氧化數

11 18
 IV Acids and bases

A18.3 Class practice 18.3

1. (a) Salt: copper(II) chloride
Parent acid: hydrochloric acid 1. Name each of the following salts and its corresponding parent acid.
(b) Salt: iron(III) sulphate
Parent acid: sulphuric acid (a) CuCl2 (b) Fe2(SO4)3 (c) Zn(NO3)2
(c) Salt: zinc nitrate
2. Write the chemical formulae of the following salts:
Parent acid: nitric acid
2. (a) CH3COONa (b) Pb(NO3)2 (a) Sodium ethanoate (b) Lead(II) nitrate
(c) (NH4)2SO4 (d) Ca(HCO3)2
(c) Ammonium sulphate (d) Calcium hydrogencarbonate
3. (a) Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) MgSO4(aq)
+ H2(g) 3. For each of the following reactions, write the chemical equation and name
Magnesium sulphate
the salt formed.
(b) Cu(OH)2(s) + 2HNO3(aq)
Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O() (a) Magnesium metal reacts with dilute sulphuric acid.
Copper(II) nitrate
(b) Copper(II) hydroxide reacts with dilute nitric acid.
(c) Al2O3(s) + 3H2SO4(aq)
Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3H2O() (c) Aluminium oxide reacts with dilute sulphuric acid.
Aluminium sulphate
(d) Ammonium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.
(d) (NH4)2CO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq)
2NH4Cl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
Ammonium chloride

18.4 Preparation of salts

PowerPoint
General methods of preparing salts
Many salts occur naturally. However, salts can be prepared in the
Note 4 laboratory. The method used depends on whether the salt is soluble or
This table is NOT exhaustive. It
only includes those salts commonly
insoluble in water.
met at the HKDSE curriculum.
Table 18.3 summarizes the solubility of some common salts in water. N4
CE2000(II)18 CE2011(II)27 CE2011(II)41 DSE2012(IA)2 DSE2013(IA)3 DSE2014(IA)7

Salt Solubility in water Remarks

Potassium, sodium
Soluble
and ammonium salts

Nitrates Soluble

Hydrogencarbonates Soluble

Except:
Halides (chloride,
Soluble • silver halides (AgCl, AgBr and AgI)
bromide and iodide)
• lead(II) halides (PbCl2, PbBr2 and PbI2)

Except:
• lead(II) sulphate (PbSO4)
Sulphates Soluble
• barium sulphate (BaSO4)
• calcium sulphate (CaSO4; only sparingly soluble)
Except:
• potassium carbonate (K2CO3)
Carbonates Insoluble
CE2009(II)29
• sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
• ammonium carbonate ((NH4)2CO3)
Table 18.3 Solubility of some common salts in water.

18 12 sparingly soluble 微溶於水

 18 Salts and neutralization

There are two important steps for preparating salts.

(1) Making the salt by a suitable reaction
(2) Separating and purifying the salt

Figure 18.6 shows the methods for preparing soluble and insoluble
salts.
CE2009(II)48
DSE2013(IA)8
Soluble salt Insoluble salt

(1) Reaction
Action of acid Action of acid Mixing two solutions
on on to get a precipitate,
• a metal, or • an alkali, or i.e. precipitation
• an insoluble • a soluble
base, or carbonate
• an insoluble
carbonate

(2) S
 eparation
Filtration
and
purification
Crystallization Crystallization Filtration

Filtration Filtration

Washing

Drying

Figure 18.6 A flow chart illustrating methods of preparing soluble and insoluble salts.

A18.4 Class practice 18.4

(a) Soluble
(b) Insoluble Predict the solubility (soluble or insoluble) of the following salts in water at
(c) Soluble
room temperature.
(d) Soluble
(e) Insoluble (a) Ammonium bromide (b) Copper(II) carbonate
(f) Insoluble
(c) Barium chloride (d) Calcium nitrate
(g) Insoluble
(h) Insoluble (e) FeCO3 (f) PbSO4
(g) MgCO3 (h) AgI

13 18
 IV Acids and bases
Think about
Can we prepare
potassium chloride or
sodium sulphate by
reacting potassium or
sodium metal with
the corresponding
acid? Why?
Think about
No, we cannot. It would be
extremely dangerous because
these metals react explosively
with acids.
CE2008(I)11(a)(i)(2)
DSEPP2012(IB)1(a)(ii)
SBA note
An excess of metal/
insoluble base/
insoluble carbonate is
added to the acid. This
is to ensure that all the
acid is used up. If not,
the salt solution would
be contaminated with
the excess acid.
Note 5
For soluble salts, they should
not be washed with a lot of
distilled water or hot distilled
water. Otherwise, too much of
the salts will be dissolved and
washed away.
DSEPP2012(IB)1(c)
SBA note
The crystals are washed
with distilled water to
remove any soluble
impurities. But a little
and cold distilled water
is used to reduce loss
of crystals.
18 14
Preparation of soluble salts
1. Action of acid on metal/insoluble base/insoluble
carbonate CE2008(I)11 CE2010(II)40 DSEPP2012(IB)1
Suppose we have to prepare zinc sulphate, which is a soluble salt. We may
use any of the following reactions to prepare the salt.
(a) Reaction of zinc metal with dilute sulphuric acid
DSEPP2012(IB)1(e)
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)
(b) Reaction of zinc oxide with dilute sulphuric acid CE2000(I)6(a)(ii)
CE2008(I)11(a)(i)(1)
ZnO(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2O() DSEPP2012(IB)1(a)(i)
(c) Reaction of zinc carbonate with dilute sulphuric acid
ZnCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
DSEPP2012(IB)1(e)
Consider the reaction of zinc oxide with dilute sulphuric acid to
prepare zinc sulphate. The experimental procedure is outlined below. See
Figure 18.7.
Stage A Reacting zinc oxide with dilute sulphuric acid
3
1. Place 30 cm of dilute sulphuric acid in a beaker.
2. Using a spatula, add zinc oxide, a little at a time, to dilute sulphuric
acid. Stir the reaction mixture with a glass rod. Heat the reaction
mixture gently if the reaction is slow.
3. Continue the addition until some zinc oxide remains undissolved. At
this stage, all the sulphuric acid has reacted.
Stage B Separating zinc sulphate solution from the reaction
mixture
CE2008(I)11(a)(ii)
4. Filter off the excess zinc oxide. The filtrate is zinc sulphate solution.
Stage C Purifying the zinc sulphate
5. Heat the zinc sulphate solution to evaporate about half of the water.
CE2008(I)11(a)(iii)
6. Leave the concentrated solution aside to cool slowly at room
temperature. Zinc sulphate crystals will form after some time. N5
7. Filter the remaining solution to obtain the crystals.
8. Wash the crystals with a little cold distilled water. N6
CE2008(I)11(a)(iv)(2) DSEPP2012(IB)1(d)
Note 6
9. Dry the crystals using filter paper or oven. Solubility of substance in water
is affected by temperature.
 18 Salts and neutralization
CE2002(I)7(a)(ii)

glass rod

zinc oxide zinc oxide mixture

dilute excess zinc folded filter paper

H2SO4(aq) oxide residue (excess zinc oxide)
filter funnel
heat if heat if
necessary necessary
evaporating dish
filtrate (zinc sulphate
Note 7 solution)
Heating cannot increase the
(1) & (2) N7 amount of zinc oxide reacted (3) (4)
with the acid. This action
can only speed up the
chemical reaction.

glass rod
DSEPP2012(IB)1(b)

SBA note
filter paper to
When heating the salt
keep out dust
solution, we dip a glass zinc sulphate
rod into the hot solution solution
and take it out. If the steam
immersed end becomes water
‘cloudy’ within a few
zinc sulphate
seconds, the remaining crystals
Note 8
solution is concentrated
heat Remind students that we boil the solution
enough for crystallization
in order to concentrate it (to facilitate
to occur. crystallization on subsequent cooling). If
large crystals of the salt are required,
(5) N8 the time for crystallization should be (6)
long. Boiling the solution to dryness only
gives small crystals or even powdered
form of the salt.

wash bottle

water
filter paper Dry the crystals
zinc sulphate crystals
zinc sulphate crystals
using filter paper
filter funnel
or oven

(7) (8) (9)

Figure 18.7 Preparing zinc sulphate crystals from zinc oxide and dilute sulphuric acid.

15 18
 IV Acids and bases

H20 Example 18.4

Preparing soluble salts
Malachite, a mineral containing copper(II) hydroxide and copper(II) carbonate, can be used to prepare
copper(II) nitrate.
(a) Suggest an acid that can react with malachite to prepare copper(II) nitrate.
(b) Write chemical equations for the reactions of the two copper(II) compounds with the acid
suggested in (a).
(c) State TWO observations for the reaction of malachite with acid.
(d) State whether malachite or the acid should be used in excess. Explain your answer. DSEPP2012(IB)1(a)(iii)

(e) Describe briefly how to prepare dry copper(II) nitrate crystals from malachite and the acid, but
NEED NOT mention the apparatus involved.

Solution
(a) Nitric acid
(b) Cu(OH)2(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O()
CuCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
(c) Malachite dissolves; solution becomes blue in colour; effervescence occurs. (Any Two)
(d) Malachite should be used in excess. This is because the excess malachite can be removed by
filtration. It is rather difficult to remove the excess acid from the reaction mixture.
(e) Add malachite to dilute nitric acid until it is in excess.
Filter off the excess malachite and collect the filtrate (i.e. copper(II) nitrate solution).
Heat the filtrate until it becomes saturated. Then, allow it to cool slowly to room temperature.
Copper(II) nitrate crystals will form after some time.
Filter the remaining solution to obtain the crystals. Wash the crystals with a little cold distilled
water. Finally, dry the crystals using filter paper.
Try Chapter Exercise Q38

A18.5
1. (a) Magnesium oxide/magnesium
hydroxide/magnesium carbonate
(Any TWO) Class practice 18.5
Dilute hydrochloric acid
(b) MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) 1. A student is asked to prepare magnesium chloride using a magnesium
+ H2O()
Magnesium oxide dissolves to give
compound and an acid commonly found in the laboratory.
a colourless solution/the solution (a) Name TWO magnesium compounds and an acid that can be used to
becomes warm. (Any ONE) OR
prepare magnesium chloride.
Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq)
MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O() (b) Write equations for the reactions of the two magnesium compounds
Magnesium hydroxide dissolves to with the acid in (a). State ONE observable change in each of the
give a colourless solution/the
solution becomes warm. (Any ONE)
reactions.
(Cont’d)
OR
MgCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq)
MgCl2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
Magnesium carbonate dissolves to
give a colourless solution/ colourless
gas bubbles evolve. (Any ONE)
18 16
 18 Salts and neutralization

A18.5 (Cont’d)
2. (a) CaCO3 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + 2. (a) Write an equation for the reaction between calcium carbonate and
CO2 + H2O
(b) When dilute sulphuric acid reacts
dilute sulphuric acid. (NO state symbols are needed.)
with calcium carbonate, the (b) It is found that when dilute sulphuric acid is added to calcium
insoluble calcium sulphate
carbonate, effervescence occurs. However, the reaction quickly slows
formed would coat on the surface
of calcium carbonate. This down and then stops. Explain briefly.
prevents the calcium carbonate
from further reaction with the 3. Describe briefly how to prepare zinc chloride from zinc carbonate. State
acid, so the reaction quickly clearly other chemical reagents required, but NEED NOT mention the
slows down and then stops.
apparatus involved.
3. Add zinc carbonate to dilute
hydrochloric acid until it is in excess.
Filter the reaction mixture and collect
the filtrate (i.e. zinc chloride
solution).
Heat the filtrate until it becomes
saturated. Then, allow it to cool slowly
Experiment 18.2 PowerPoint Experiment
Experiment Workbook 2
Video
to room temperature. Zinc chloride
crystals will form after some time. Preparing a soluble salt by the action of acid on insoluble base
Filter the remaining solution to obtain In this experiment, you are going to prepare copper(II) sulphate by the reaction
the crystals. Wash the crystals with a
between dilute sulphuric acid and copper(II) oxide.
little cold distilled water.
Finally, dry the crystals using filter
paper.

2. Action of acid on alkali/soluble carbonate CE1998(I)6(a)

Potassium, sodium and ammonium salts are prepared by neutralization

reactions between solutions of an acid and an alkali (or a soluble
carbonate). The technique used is called titration which will be discussed
in more detail in the next chapter. The set-up shown in Figure 18.8 is
used.

stand
acid solution

burette

conical flask

white tile
aqueous alkali + indicator

Figure 18.8 The titration set-up for the preparation of potassium, sodium or ammonium salts.

burette 滴定管
conical flask 錐形瓶
titration 滴定
17 18
 IV Acids and bases
SBA note
To dry hydrated salts (e.g.
hydrated copper(II)
sulphate, CuSO4․5H2O),
the temperature of the
oven should be set below
105°C. Otherwise, the
water of crystallization
may be removed.
18 18
Suppose we have to prepare sodium chloride, which is a soluble salt.
We may use either one of the following reactions to prepare the salt.
(a) Reaction of sodium hydroxide solution with dilute hydrochloric
acid
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O()
(b) Reaction of sodium carbonate with dilute hydrochloric acid
Na2CO3(aq) + 2HCl(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
Consider the reaction of sodium hydroxide solution with dilute
hydrochloric acid to prepare sodium chloride. The experimental procedure
is outlined below. See Figure 18.9.
Stage A Titrating sodium hydroxide solution with dilute
hydrochloric acid
3
1. Place a known volume, say 25.0 cm of sodium hydroxide solution in
a conical flask. Add a few drops of methyl orange indicator to give a
yellow colour.
2. Fill the burette with dilute hydrochloric acid.
3. Run the dilute hydrochloric acid from the burette into the conical
flask, until the solution just turns into a persistent orange colour.
Determine the volume of dilute hydrochloric acid required to
neutralize the sodium hydroxide solution.
Stage B Mixing appropriate volumes of sodium hydroxide
solution and dilute hydrochloric acid for reaction
4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 with exactly the same volumes of acid and alkali
needed for neutralization (as found above). However, do not add
methyl orange indicator this time.
Stage C Separating and purifying the sodium chloride
5. Heat the sodium chloride solution to evaporate water until one-third of
the solution is left.
6. Leave the concentrated solution aside to cool slowly at room
temperature. Sodium chloride crystals will form after some time.
7. Filter the crystals from the remaining solution.
8. Wash the crystals with a little cold distilled water.
9. Dry the crystals using filter paper or oven.
 18 Salts and neutralization
CE1998(I)6(a)(i)(2)

stand
dilute
hydrochloric acid
burette
dilute
hydrochloric
methyl acid
orange
indicator
conical flask

white tile
reaction
sodium sodium
mixture +
hydroxide hydroxide
methyl orange
solution solution +
indicator
methyl orange
indicator
(1) (2) (3)

glass rod

dilute filter paper to

hydrochloric acid keep out dust
sodium chloride
burette solution
steam

water
sodium
conical flask chloride
crystals
heat
sodium
hydroxide
solution
(4) (5) (6)

wash bottle

distilled water
filter paper Dry the crystals
sodium chloride crystals
sodium chloride crystals
using filter paper
filter funnel
or oven

(7) (8) (9)

Figure 18.9 Preparing sodium chloride crystals from sodium hydroxide solution and dilute hydrochloric acid.

19 18
 IV Acids and bases

H20 Example 18.5

Preparing salts by acid-alkali titration
Which of the following ways of preparing a salt CANNOT be done by acid-alkali titration? Explain
briefly.
(a) potassium hydroxide + nitric acid potassium nitrate
(b) magnesium oxide + sulphuric acid magnesium sulphate
(c) zinc hydroxide + hydrochloric acid zinc chloride
(d) ammonia solution + sulphuric acid ammonium sulphate
(e) copper(II) carbonate + nitric acid copper(II) nitrate

Solution
(b), (c) and (e). It is because magnesium oxide in (b), zinc hydroxide in (c) and copper(II) carbonate in
(e) are insoluble in water. No aqueous solutions of these substances can be prepared for titration.

A18.6
(a) Yes. HNO3(aq) and NaOH(aq) Class practice 18.6
(b) Yes. HCl(aq) and NH3(aq)
(c) No. Mg(OH)2 and MgCO3 are
Which of the following salts can be prepared by acid-alkali titration? Suggest
insoluble in water. So, no aqueous
solutions of these substances can the acid and alkali used in the titration for the preparation of those salts.
be prepared for titration.
(a) Sodium nitrate (b) Ammonium chloride
(d) No. Pb(OH)2 and PbCO3 are
insoluble in water. So, no aqueous (c) Magnesium nitrate (d) Lead(II) sulphate
solutions of these substances can
be prepared for titration.

Experiment 18.3 Experiment Workbook 2

Preparing a soluble salt by acid-alkali titration

PowerPoint Experiment
Video In this experiment, you are going to prepare sodium sulphate by acid-alkali
titration between sodium hydroxide solution and dilute sulphuric acid.

Preparation of insoluble salts CE2011(I)1(b)

DSE2012(IA)2
DSE2013(IB)11

Learning tip
It is a useful practice
to select a nitrate (to
provide the cation)
and a sodium salt or
potassium salt (to
provide the anion) in
preparing an
insoluble salt.
18 20 precipitation 沉澱作用
We can prepare insoluble salts by precipitation. The precipitate can be
obtained by mixing two solutions. One solution contains the cation of the
insoluble salt while the other contains the anion of the insoluble salt.
CE2007(II)38
Take the example of preparing lead(II) sulphate, which is an insoluble
salt. Solutions of soluble salts, lead(II) nitrate and sodium sulphate, would
be suitable. On mixing the two solutions, lead(II) sulphate precipitates out:
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + Na2SO4(aq) PbSO4(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)
2+ 2–
Ionic equation: Pb (aq) + SO4 (aq) PbSO4(s)
+ –
The ‘spectator’ ions Na (aq) and NO3 (aq) of the reaction remain in the
solution.
 18 Salts and neutralization

The procedure is outlined below (Figure 18.10):

Stage A Mixing lead(II) nitrate solution and sodium sulphate

solution
1. Mix lead(II) nitrate solution and sodium sulphate solution together in
a beaker.
2. Stir thoroughly with a glass rod. Precipitate of lead(II) sulphate will
DSE2012(IB)6
form.

Stage B Separating and purifying the lead(II) sulphate

CE2002(I)7(a)(iv)

SBA note 3. Filter the reaction mixture to obtain the precipitate.

A large amount of 4. Wash the precipitate with a large amount of distilled water.
distilled water is
used to remove any 5. Dry the precipitate using filter paper or oven.
soluble impurities.

mixing wash bottle

glass rod
dry PbSO4
distilled
1 filtering the
1111 mixture water
stirring drying the
PbSO4 precipitate
2
2222 washing the filter funnel precipitate

precipitate

Pb(NO3)2 solution Na2SO4 solution white precipitate filtrate

(a source of (a source of of PbSO4
2+ 2–
(not required)
Pb (aq) ions) SO4 (aq) ions)
(1) (2) (3) & (4) (5)

Figure 18.10 Preparing an insoluble salt, lead(II) sulphate, from lead(II) nitrate solution and sodium sulphate solution.

H20 Example 18.6

Preparing insoluble salts by precipitation
Name the TWO aqueous solutions used to prepare the following salts by precipitation. Write the
(i) chemical equations (ii) ionic equations for the reactions.
(a) Copper(II) carbonate (b) Silver iodide
Solution
(a) copper(II) nitrate + potassium carbonate
(i) Cu(NO3)2(aq) + K2CO3(aq) CuCO3(s) + 2KNO3(aq)
2+ 2–
(ii) Cu (aq) + CO3 (aq) CuCO3(s)
(b) silver nitrate + sodium iodide
(i) AgNO3(aq) + NaI(aq) AgI(s) + NaNO3(aq)
+ –
(ii) Ag (aq) + I (aq) AgI(s)
(Other practically correct answers are also accepted.)

21 18
 IV Acids and bases

H20 Example 18.7

Suggesting a method for preparing a particular salt
For each of the following salts,
(i) suggest a suitable preparation method,
(ii) write a chemical equation for the reaction involved.
(a) Calcium carbonate (b) Copper(II) chloride
(c) Ammonium nitrate (d) Aluminium sulphate
Solution
(a) (i) By mixing calcium nitrate solution and sodium carbonate solution, followed by filtration,
washing and drying.
(ii) Ca(NO3)2(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) CaCO3(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)
(b) (i) By the action of dilute hydrochloric acid on copper(II) oxide, followed by crystallization,
filtration, washing and drying.
(ii) 2HCl(aq) + CuO(s) CuCl2(aq) + H2O()
(c) (i) By titrating dilute nitric acid with aqueous ammonia, followed by crystallization, filtration,
washing and drying.
(ii) HNO3(aq) + NH3(aq) NH4NO3(aq)
(d) (i) By the action of dilute sulphuric acid on aluminium oxide, followed by crystallization, filtration,
washing and drying.
(ii) Al2O3(s) + 3H2SO4(aq) Al2(SO4)3(aq) + 3H2O()
Try Chapter Exercise Q10

A18.7
1. (a) AgNO3(aq) + NaBr(aq) AgBr(s) + NaNO3(aq)
+ –
Ag (aq) + Br (aq) AgBr(s)
Class practice 18.7
(b) Mg(NO3)2(aq) + Na2CO3(aq)
MgCO3(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)
MgCO3(s) 1. Write chemical equations and ionic equations for the preparation of the
2+ 2–
Mg (aq) + CO3 (aq)
2. (a) Impracticable. All salts are soluble in following salts:
water. Mg(HCO3)2 cannot be separated
(a) Silver bromide (b) Magnesium carbonate
out by crystallization.
(b) Practicable 2. In each of the following cases, judge whether the equation represents a
(c) Impracticable. PbSO4 is insoluble in
2+ practicable way of preparing the salt underlined. If not, explain briefly.
water. Pb ions in the solid state
–
cannot combine with the Cl ions in the (a) MgCl2(aq) + 2NaHCO3(aq) Mg(HCO3)2(aq) + 2NaCl(aq)
aqueous solution.
(b) MgCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Mg(NO3)2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
3. Dissolve silver nitrate in distilled water (if
solid silver nitrate is provided). Then, mix (c) PbSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq) PbCl2(s) + Na2SO4(aq)
silver nitrate solution with (excess) sodium
chloride solution. Precipitate of silver
3. Describe briefly how to prepare silver chloride from silver nitrate. State
chloride will form. Filter the reaction clearly other chemical reagents required, but NEED NOT mention the
mixture to obtain the precipitate. Wash the apparatus involved.
precipitate with a large amount of distilled
water. Finally, dry the precipitate using
filter paper or in oven.

Experiment 18.4 Experiment Workbook 2

PowerPoint Experiment Preparing an insoluble salt by precipitation

Video In this experiment, you are going to prepare lead(II) sulphate by precipitation
reaction between lead(II) nitrate solution and sodium sulphate solution.

18 22
 18 Salts and neutralization

18.5 Applications of neutralization

PowerPoint
Neutralization has many useful applications. Let us consider some of
them.

Activity 18.1

PowerPoint Applications of neutralization

In this activity, you are going to search for information from the library or
Internet on the applications of neutralization. After the search, present your
findings by designing a set of PowerPoint slides.
Note 9
Among other things, the soil pH affects the availability of soil
mineral nutrients to plants. Soil which is too alkaline causes
minerals to become more insoluble (by formation of metal
hydroxide precipitates), making the minerals unavailable to
CE2000(II)49
CE2002(I)1(c)(ii)
Adjusting soil pH N9 plants. Soil which is too acidic makes the minerals more soluble,
and more easily be washed away by rain or irrigation water.

Think about Most plants grow well only in soils which are neither too acidic nor too
Is it suitable to use alkaline. A pH value close to 7 would be suitable.
sodium hydroxide
to neutralize the
In some areas where the soil is too acidic, farmers often add
acid in soil? Why?
powdered limestone (a natural form of calcium carbonate), quicklime
Think about (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to neutralize the acid
No. This is because sodium
in soil (Figure 18.11). The process is called ‘liming of soil’.
hydroxide is very corrosive.
Besides, it may make the soil
too alkaline for plants to grow.

Note 10
Another cause of soil acidity is due to
selective leaching. Leaching is the washing
away of minerals from soil by rain or
underground water. Salts of alkali metals
and alkaline earth metals, such as the
carbonates of potassium and magnesium, N10
are usually alkaline and responsible for soil
alkalinity. Comparatively, they are more
soluble and thus more readily leached away
than salts of other metals. After leaching,
the soil may become acidic due to the
3+
hydrolysis of metal ions (such as Al (aq)
3+
and Fe (aq) ions) which remain in soil.
Figure 18.11 Using powdered limestone to neutralize acidic soil.

Learning tip
If the soil is too alkaline, farmers can add ammonium sulphate
Ammonium sulphate
is a fertilizer as well. (which is acidic when dissolved in water) to adjust the soil pH.

23 18
 IV Acids and bases

H20 Example 18.8 CE2005(I)3(a)

Adjusting soil pH
(a) Powdered limestone is commonly used by farmers to reduce the acidity of soil. Explain, with the
aid of an ionic equation, how it can be done. 0.2 pt
(b) Powdered limestone is preferred to aqueous ammonia in reducing the acidity of soil. Give TWO
reasons.

Solution
(a) Powdered limestone can neutralize the acid in soil.
+ 2+
CaCO3(s) + 2H (aq) Ca (aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
(b) Limestone has no smell and is safe to use. Ammonia has an irritating smell and is poisonous.
Limestone is insoluble in water. It is not washed away quickly and hence has long-lasting action.
But aqueous ammonia is volatile. It is easily lost by evaporation or being washed away.
Try Chapter Exercise Q39

A18.8 Class practice 18.8

+ 2+
1. Ca(OH)2(s) + 2H (aq) Ca (aq)
+ 2H2O() 1. Write an ionic equation to show how slaked lime neutralizes the acid in
2. His/her statement is correct. Egg
shells contain calcium carbonate soil.
which can neutralize the acid in soil. 2. A student suggested that egg shells can be used to adjust the soil pH.
+
CaCO3(s) + 2H (aq)
2+
Ca (aq) + CO2(g) + H2O() Justify his/her statement.

CE2003(II)45
CE2006(II)11
Neutralizing excess acid in stomach
Think about Our stomach secretes gastric juice to help digest food. Gastric juice is
Is sodium hydroxide acidic as it contains mainly hydrochloric acid. If our stomach secretes
or aqueous ammonia
an excess of this acid, we may suffer from indigestion.
suitable to be used
as antacids to treat
indigestion? Why? We can treat indigestion by taking antacids (Figure 18.12). Antacids
are drugs which contain weak bases such as magnesium hydroxide and
Think about
No. Sodium hydroxide is very aluminium hydroxide. These bases can neutralize the excess acid in the
corrosive. So, it will cause serious stomach. As a result, the pain can be relieved.
burns in the mouth and
oesophagus. Aqueous ammonia is
poisonous and has an irritating Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O()
smell.
CE2009(I)11(a) Al(OH)3(s) + 3HCl(aq) AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O()

18 24 antacid 制酸劑 ingestion 消化不良

relieve 舒緩
secrete 分泌
 18 Salts and neutralization

Figure 18.12 Antacid can

neutralize excess acid in the
stomach.

STSE connections 18.1

PowerPoint
Antacids
Antacids are common over-the-counter drugs which may be used to treat stomach problems. They contain
weak bases which neutralize the excess acid in the stomach.

‘Milk of magnesia’ is an antacid. It is a suspension Sodium hydrogencarbonate and calcium carbonate

of magnesium hydroxide in water. are the active ingredients of this antacid.

The following table shows some examples of weak bases which can be used as active ingredient(s) of
antacids and their possible side effects.

Antacid Possible side effect

Magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2
Aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)3
Sodium hydrogencarbonate NaHCO3
Calcium carbonate CaCO3
It has a laxative effect.
It may cause constipation.
?

Unlike strong bases such as sodium hydroxide, these chemicals react with stomach acid mildly and would
not damage the stomach. STSE connections 18.1
1. NaHCO3 + HCl NaCl + CO2 + H2O
Questions for discussion: 2. CaCO3 + 2HCl CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
3. The carbon dioxide produced would build up pressure in the stomach, making the patient uncomfortable.
1. Write a chemical equation for the action of sodium hydrogencarbonate on hydrochloric acid in gastric
juice.
2. Write a chemical equation for the action of calcium carbonate on hydrochloric acid in gastric juice.
3. With reference to your answers in (1) and (2), suggest one side effect of using sodium hydrogencarbonate
or calcium carbonate as antacids.
4. Explain why the antacid tablet(s) should be chewed before swallowing.
4. To break down the antacid tablet(s) into smaller pieces so as to increase the total surface area of the tablet(s). The larger the total surface area of
the tablet(s), the faster the weak base in the tablet(s) can neutralize the acid in the gastric juice. As a result, the pain can be relieved more quickly.
milk of magnesia 鎂奶 constipation 便秘
laxative effect 輕瀉作用
swallowing 吞嚥
25 18
 IV Acids and bases

Treating industrial liquid waste CE2000(I)6(b)(i)(2)

CE2006(II)22

Liquid waste from industries such as electroplating and dyeing are often
acidic (Figure 18.13). If acidic liquid waste were allowed to run directly
into rivers, it would cause water pollution and kill water life. To reduce
pollution, acidic liquid waste is often treated with slaked lime or sodium
carbonate before discharge. These chemicals can neutralize the acid in
liquid waste.

Alkaline liquid waste is often treated with sulphuric acid before

Figure 18.13 Industrial discharge. Sulphuric acid can neutralize the alkaline substances in liquid
liquid waste is often acidic. waste.

Producing fertilizer CE2003(II)4

CE2004(II)5

Many common fertilizers are produced by neutralization. For example,

ammonium nitrate is produced by the neutralization of nitric acid with
ammonia.
HNO3(aq) + NH3(aq) NH4NO3(aq)

After crystallization, ammonium nitrate crystals are packed and sold to

the farmers. See Figure 18.14.

Figure 18.14 (a) Ammonium

nitrate crystals (b) Bags of
ammonium nitrate are being
loaded on a truck.
(a) (b)
A18.9
(a) 2NH3 + H2SO4 (NH4)2SO4
Class practice 18.9 (b) 2HNO3 + Na2CO3 2NaNO3 + CO2 + H2O
(c) 2NaOH + H2SO4 Na2SO4 + 2H2O
Write chemical equations (NO state symbols are required) for the following
actions:
(a) Making ammonium sulphate by neutralization of an acid and an alkali.
(b) Neutralizing nitric acid from electroplating plants by sodium carbonate.
(c) Neutralizing sodium hydroxide from electroplating plants by sulphuric
acid.

18 26 electroplating 電鍍 discharge 排放
 18 Salts and neutralization

STSE connections 18.2

PowerPoint
Flue gas desulphurization CE2006(II)22 AL2002(I)10

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a major air pollutant in Hong Kong. Power station is one of the major sources of
this air pollutant. To reduce the sulphur dioxide emission, the power plants in Hong Kong are equipped with
flue gas desulphurization system. The system can remove up to 90% of sulphur dioxide emitted from the coal-
fired burner.

Flue gas desulphurization is carried out inside an absorber tower. Flue gas produced in the coal-fired
burner of the power plant is directed to the tower, where it is sprayed with limestone slurry (a mixture of calcium
carbonate and water).
Sulphur dioxide in the flue gas dissolves in the water and changes to sulphurous acid (H2SO3). The acid
then reacts with the limestone slurry droplets to form calcium sulphite. As a result, sulphur dioxide is removed
from the flue gas.
SO2 + H2O H2SO3
CaCO3 + H2SO3 CaSO3 + CO2 + H2O

After further reactions, calcium sulphite changes to calcium sulphate slurry, which is collected and
removed. Finally, the cleaned flue gas is discharged from chimney.

Coal-fired *
 Eprecipitator
lectrostatic
burner flue gas with
flue gas
SO2 and ash
with SO2 Chimney
produced
cleaned
flue gas
* Book 2, Section 20.7, p.30 Absorber
tower

limestone slurry calcium sulphate slurry

Questions for discussion:

1. Suggest how sulphur dioxide is produced in a coal-fired burner.
2. Explain why sulphur dioxide is harmful to the environment.
3. Apart from limestone, slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) can be used to remove the sulphurous acid. Write
an equation to show how this can be done.

STSE connections 18.2

1. SO2 is produced when the sulphur inside coal reacts with oxygen in the coal-fired burner.
2. SO2 will dissolve in rainwater to form acid rain. The acid rain can damage plants, kill aquatic life, corrode building materials and metal
objects, etc.
3. Ca(OH)2 + H2SO3 CaSO3 + 2H2O

flue gas desulphurization 煙氣脫硫 chimney 煙囪

slurry 淤漿
27 18
 IV Acids and bases

Key terms
PowerPoint

English term Chinese translation Page

1. antacid 制酸劑 24

2. neutral 中性 3

3. neutralization 中和作用 3

4. neutralize 中和 3

5. parent acid 母體酸 9

6. precipitation 沉澱作用 20

7. salt 鹽 10

8. titration 滴定 17

Progress check
PowerPoint
Can you answer the following questions? Put a ‘✓’ in the box if you can. Otherwise, review the relevant
part on the page as shown.

Page
1. What is neutralization? 3

2. Is heat released or absorbed during neutralization? 7

3. What is a salt? 10

4. What is the meaning of ‘parent acid’ of a salt? 10

5. What are the rules for naming a salt? 11

6. What are the solubilities of some commons salt in water? 12

7. What general methods are used to prepare soluble salts such as zinc sulphate, copper(II)
13
nitrate, magnesium chloride, etc?

8. What general methods are used to prepare potassium, sodium and ammonium salts? 13

9. What general methods are used to prepare insoluble salts? 13

10. What are some applications of neutralization? 23–26

18 28
 18 Salts and neutralization

Summary
PowerPoint

18.1 Neutralization

1. Neutralization is the reaction of an acid with a base producing salt and water only.

18.2 Exothermic nature of neutralization

2. Neutralization is an exothermic reaction.

18.3 Naming of common salts

3. A salt is a compound formed when the ionizable hydrogen atom(s) of an acid is/are replaced by
metal ion(s) (or ammonium ion(s)).

4. Rules for naming ionic compounds also apply to salts. Refer to Table 18.2 on p.11.

18.4 Preparation of salts

5. Some salts are soluble in water while some are not. Refer to Table 18.3 on p.12 for the
solubilities of common salts in water.

6. General methods of preparing salts are determined by their solubilities in water.

Salt General methods of preparation Example

action of acid on metal/
CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) CuSO4(aq) + H2O()
Soluble insoluble base/insoluble carbonate
salt action of acid on alkali/soluble
HNO3(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaNO3(aq) + H2O()
carbonate
Insoluble mixing two solutions to get a
AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq)
salt precipitate

33. (a)
Temperature of reaction mixture (°C)

18.5 Applications of neutralization 50

7. Some applications of neutralization: 40

• Adjusting soil pH 30

• Neutralizing excess acid in stomach 20

• Treating industrial liquid waste 10

• Producing fertilizer
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
3
Volume of NaOH(aq) added (cm )

(b) The temperature of the reaction mixture rises because heat is given out when NaOH(aq) reacts with HCl(aq).
The temperature of the reaction mixture reaches a maximum because NaOH(aq) and HCl(aq) react completely with each other.
The temperature of the reaction mixture falls because addition of excess NaOH(aq) will not give out heat but cool the mixture.
+ –
(c) H (aq) + OH (aq) H2O()
(d) (40.0 – 20.0)°C = 20.0°C
+ –
(e) (i) Since the numbers of moles of H (aq) and OH (aq) reacting are doubled, the amount of heat released from the reaction mixture is also doubled.
The heat will be used to heat the same volume of the solution. Therefore, the maximum temperature rise of the reaction mixture will be doubled.
+ –
(ii) Although the numbers of moles of H (aq) and OH (aq) reacting are doubled, the amount of heat released from the reaction mixture is also
doubled. The heat will be used to heat the doubled volume of the solution. Therefore, the maximum temperature rise of the reaction mixture is
more or less the same. 29 18
 IV Acids and bases

Concept map
PowerPoint

Complete the following concept map.

Acids Bases
• adjusting
soil pH

• neutralizing
applications excess acid
NEUTRALIZATION in stomach
• treating
industrial
liquid waste
• producing
fertilizer
Salts Water Heat

(exothermic reaction)

Soluble salts Insoluble salts

prepared by

prepared by

Acid + metal/ Acid + alkali/

insoluble base/ soluble carbonate
insoluble carbonate Precipitation

1. filtration
1. crystallization 2. washing
2. filtration 3. drying
3. washing
4. drying

Crystals Precipitates

(Hints: acids, crystals, fertilizer, heat, insoluble salts, precipitation, soluble salts, soil)

18 30
 18 Salts and neutralization

Chapter exercise
Fill in the blanks Section 18.4
4. Soluble salts can be prepared by
Section 18.1 metal
(a) the reaction of excess , an
1. Neutralization is the combination of base
hydrogen insoluble or an insoluble
ions and hydroxide ions (or carbonate
oxide water with acid, or
ions) to form alkali
(b) the action of an acid with an
molecules. soluble
or a carbonate.
Section 18.2 precipitation
eleased 5. Insoluble salts are prepared by .
2. Heat is r in all neutralization
reactions. Neutralization is an exothermic Section 18.5
reaction. 6. Some applications of neutralization include:
pH
(a) adjusting soil ,
Section 18.3 acid
(b) neutralizing excess in
3. A salt is a compound formed when the
ionizable stomach,
hydrogen atom(s) of an acid is/are waste
metal (c) treating industrial liquid
replaced by ion(s) (or
ammonium before disposal and
ion(s)). fertilizer
(d) producing .

7. (a) (i) 2HNO3(aq) + CaO(s) Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2O()

+ 2+
(ii) 2H (aq) + CaO(s) Ca (aq) + H2O()
(iii) Calcium nitrate
Practice questions (b) (i) H2SO4(aq) + FeO(s) FeSO4(aq) + H2O()
+ 2+
(ii) 2H (aq) + FeO(s) Fe (aq) + H2O()
Section 18.3 (iii) Iron(II) sulphate
7. For each of the following neutralization reactions, (i) write the chemical equation involved, (ii) write the ionic
equation involved, and (iii) name the salt formed. (c) (i) 2CH3COOH(aq) + Mg(OH)2(s) (CH3COO)2Mg(aq) + 2H2O()
– 2+
(a) nitric acid + calcium oxide (ii) 2CH3COOH(aq) + Mg(OH)2(s) 2CH3COO (aq) + Mg (aq) + 2H2O()
(iii) Magnesium ethanoate
(b) sulphuric acid + iron(II) oxide (d) (i) HCl(aq) + NH3(aq) NH4Cl(aq)
+ +
(c) ethanoic acid + magnesium hydroxide (ii) H (aq) + NH3(aq) NH4 (aq)
(iii) Ammonium chloride
(d) hydrochloric acid + aqueous ammonia

8. Suggest the chemical formulae of the parent acid and a suitable base for the formation of the following
salts:

Salt Parent acid Base

Ammonium chloride HCl NH3

H2SO4 CuO/CuCO3/Cu(OH)2
Copper(II) sulphate (Any ONE)
HNO3 FeO/FeCO3/Fe(OH)2
Iron(II) nitrate (Any ONE)
CH3COOH KOH/K2CO3
Potassium ethanoate (Any ONE)

31 18
29
 IV Acids and bases

Section 18.4
9. Write the formulae of INSOLUBLE salts in the corresponding boxes when the cation and anion are mixed
together. (PbSO4 has been done as an example.)

Cation + + 2+ 3+ 2+ 2+ 2+ 2+ + + 2+
K Na Ca Al Zn Fe Pb Cu NH4 Ag Ba
Anion
–
NO3
–
HCO3
2–
CO3 CaCO3 Al2(CO3)3 ZnCO3 FeCO3 PbCO3 CuCO3 Ag2CO3 BaCO3

–
Cl PbCl2 AgCl

–
Br PbBr2 AgBr

–
I PbI2 AgI

2–
SO4 CaSO4 PbSO4 BaSO4

10. (a) Dilute sulphuric acid and copper(II) oxide, copper(II) hydroxide or copper(II) carbonate
10. For each of the following salts, suggest the chemicals that can be used to prepare the salt and write the
chemical equation for the reaction involved.
H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) CuSO4(aq) + H2O() OR
(a) copper(II) sulphate H2SO4(aq) + Cu(OH)2(s) CuSO4(aq) + 2H2O() OR
(b) lead(II) chloride H2SO4(aq) + CuCO3(s) CuSO4(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
(b) Lead(II) nitrate solution and sodium chloride solution
(c) potassium nitrate 2+ –
Pb (aq) + 2Cl (aq) PbCl2(s)
(c) Dilute nitric acid and potassium hydroxide solution or potassium carbonate solution
HNO3(aq) + KOH(aq) KNO3(aq) + H2O() OR
2HNO3(aq) + K2CO3(aq) 2KNO3(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
Multiple-choice questions 13. Which of the following statements about aqueous
ammonia is correct?
Section 18.1
(1) It turns dry red litmus paper blue.
11. Which of the following equations represents the (2) It reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to give out
reaction between dilute nitric acid and potassium heat. 13. (1): aqueous ammonia is alkaline.
hydroxide? 11. Nitric acid is a strong acid and (3) It reacts with iron(II) sulphate to give a dirty
green precipitate. (2): the reaction between aqueous
+ 2– potassium hydroxide is a strong
A. 2H + O H2O
– + alkali. The reaction is in fact the ammonia and dilute sulphuric acid is
B. NO3 + K KNO3 + –
combination of H (aq) and OH (aq) A. (1) and (2) only a neutralization reaction, which is
+ –
C. H + OH H2O ions to form water. B. (1) and (3) only exothermic.
+ – C 2+ –
D. H + NO3 HNO3 C. (2) and (3) only
(3): Fe (aq) + 2OH (aq) Fe(OH)2(s)
D
D. (1), (2) and (3)
12. Which of the following ionic equations is
correct for the reaction between zinc carbonate 14. In an accident, some hydrochloric acid was spilt
and dilute nitric acid? out. Which of the following substances, when
2+ –
A. Zn (aq) + 2NO3 (aq) Zn(NO3)2(aq) added in excess, would neutralize the acid without
2– +
B. CO3 (aq) + 2H (aq) CO2(g) + H2O() leaving any alkaline solution?
+ 2+
C. ZnCO3(s) + 2H (aq) Zn (aq) + CO2(g) + A. Sodium hydroxide
H2O() B. Limewater
D. ZnCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Zn(NO3)2(aq) + C. Calcium carbonate
CO2(g) + H2O() D. Water C

C
14. Calcium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid to form calcium
chloride, carbon dioxide and water. Calcium carbonate is insoluble
in water. So, no alkaline solution would be left if calcium carbonate
is used in excess.

18 32
 18 Salts and neutralization

Section 18.2 19. What are the name and the chemical formula of
15. Which of the following neutralization reactions the salt formed when sodium hydrogencarbonate
will cause roughly the same change in reacts with nitric acid?
temperature? Name Chemical formula
3 3
(1) 25.0 cm of 1.0 M HCl(aq) + 25.0 cm of A. Sodium carbonate Na2CO3
1.0 M NaOH(aq) B. Sodium carbonate NaCO3
3 3
(2) 100.0 cm of 1.0 M HCl(aq) + 100.0 cm of C. Sodium nitrate NaNO2
D
1.0 M NaOH(aq) D. Sodium nitrate NaNO3
3 3 19. NaHCO3(s) + HNO3(aq) NaNO3(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
(3) 50.0 cm of 2.0 M HCl(aq) + 50.0 cm of
Section 18.4
2.0 M NaOH(aq)
20. Which of the following chlorides are soluble in
A. (1) and (2) only
water?
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only (1) AgCl
D. (1), (2) and (3) A (2) CaCl2
(3) ZnCl2
16. Which of the following observations can be
A. (1) and (2) only
made when calcium oxide is added to a test tube
B. (1) and (3) only
containing hydrochloric acid? 20. Refer to p.12 of chapter 18 for details.
C. (2) and (3) only
(1) Calcium oxide dissolves. D. (1), (2) and (3) C
(2) A brick-red solution forms.
(3) The test tube becomes warm. 21. Which of the following compounds can dissolve
in water to form a coloured solution?
A. (1) and (2) only 16. (2): calcium oxide burns with a
(1) Fe(OH)2 21. (1): Fe(OH)2 is insoluble in water.
B. (1) and (3) only brick-red flame in the flame test. (2): CuCl2 is soluble in water. When
C. (2) and (3) only (2) CuCl2 added to water, it dissolves to give a
D. (1), (2) and (3) B (3) K2SO4 blue or green solution.
(3): K2SO4 is soluble in water. When
A. (1) only
Section 18.3 added to water, it dissolves to give a
B. (2) only colourless solution.
17. Which of the following chemicals is the parent C. (1) and (3) only
acid of (NH4)2SO4? D. (2) and (3) only B

A. Ammonia 17. 2NH3(aq) + H2SO4(aq) (NH4)2SO4(aq)

22. Which of the following pairs of chemicals
B. Sulphuric acid
CANNOT be used to prepare hydrated copper(II)
C. Sulphurous acid
B sulphate crystals?
D. Nitric acid
A. CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) 22. Copper does not react
18. Which of the following combinations about the B. CuCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) with dilute sulphuric acid.
salt and its parent acid are correct? C. Cu(OH)2(s) + H2SO4(aq)
D
Salt Parent acid D. Cu(s) + H2SO4(aq)
(1) Cu(NO3)2 Nitric acid
23. Which of the following salts CANNOT be
(2) Fe2(SO4)3 Sulphuric acid
prepared by acid-alkali titration?
(3) (CH3COO)2Mg Ethanoic acid
A. K2SO4 23. Magnesium carbonate and magnesium
A. (1) and (2) only hydroxide are insoluble in water. No aqueous
B. NH4NO3
B. (2) and (3) only solutions of these substances can be
C. NaCl prepared for titration.
C. (1) and (3) only D
D D. MgSO4
D. (1), (2) and (3)
+ –
15. Number of moles of Volume of the reaction In (2), the amounts of H (aq) and OH (aq) ions reacting are four times that in (1).
3
water formed (mol) mixture (cm ) But the heat produced in (2) is used to heat up the volume of the reaction mixture
(1) 0.025 50.0 four times that in (1). Hence, the temperature rises in (1) and (2) are roughly the
same.
(2) 0.1 200.0 + –
In (3), the amounts of H (aq) and OH (aq) ions reacting are four times that in (1).
(3) 0.1 100.0 But the heat produced in (3) is used to heat up the volume of the reaction mixture
twice that in (1). Hence, the temperature rises in (3) is higher than in (1).
33 18
29
 IV Acids and bases 29. (1): calcium nitrate gives a brick-red flame, while
25. Among the four salts, only calcium carbonate is insoluble in water. Precipitate of magnesium nitrate does not give any characteristic
calcium carbonate formed can be separated from the reaction mixture by filtration. flame colour in flame test.
24. Which of the following salts can be prepared by 29. Which of the following methods can be used to
precipitation? distinguish between calcium nitrate solution and
A. Ca(NO3)2 24. Among the four salts, only BaSO4 is magnesium nitrate solution?
insoluble in water. It can be prepared by (2): a white precipitate of
B. AgNO3 (1) Performing flame test calcium sulphate forms when
mixing Ba(NO3)2 solution and Na2SO4
C. BaSO4 solution. (2) Adding sulphuric acid calcium nitrate is mixed with
C
D. K2CO3 (3) Adding hydrochloric acid dilute sulphuric acid.
(3): both calcium nitrate and
A. (1) and (2) only magnesium nitrate has no
25. Which of the following reactions can be used to
B. (1) and (3) only reaction with dilute
prepare the corresponding salts (underlined) by
C. (2) and (3) only hydrochloric acid.
precipitation? A
D. (1), (2) and (3)
A. sodium chloride + potassium nitrate
sodium nitrate + potassium chloride 30. A small amount of salt P is added to water to form
B. calcium nitrate + sodium carbonate a colourless solution. When aqueous ammonia is
calcium carbonate + sodium nitrate added to this solution, a white precipitate forms.
C. zinc oxide + sulphuric acid zinc sulphate The white precipitate dissolves to form a
+ water colourless solution when excess aqueous
D. copper(II) sulphate + magnesium chloride ammonia is added. What might salt P be?
copper(II) chloride + magnesium sulphate A. NaNO3 30. Zn(NO3)2 reacts with aqueous
B B. Mg(NO3)2 ammonia to form a white
precipitate of Zn(OH)2. The
C. Pb(NO3)2
26. Which of the following reactions is a practicable Zn(OH)2 can dissolve in D
D. Zn(NO3)2 excess aqueous ammonia to
way of preparing the salt underlined?
give a colourless solution.
A. Mg(OH)2 + Na2SO4 MgSO4 + 2NaOH Section 18.5
B. NH3 + HNO3 NH4NO3 31. Which of the following chemicals are usually
C. Cu + H2SO4 CuSO4 + H2 found in antacids to neutralize excess acid in the
B stomach?
D. AgCl + NaNO3 NaCl + AgNO3
(1) Mg(OH)2
27. Which of the following pairs of solutions will
(2) Al(OH)3
give a white precipitate when they are mixed?
(3) NaOH
(1) CuSO4(aq) and Na2CO3(aq)
A. (1) and (2) only
(2) Pb(NO3)2(aq) and Na2SO4(aq)
B. (1) and (3) only 31. The active ingredients
(3) NH4Cl(aq) and AgNO3(aq)
C. (2) and (3) only of antacids are weak
A. (1) and (2) only D. (1), (2) and (3) bases. A
B. (1) and (3) only 27. (1): a blue precipitate of CuCO3
C. (2) and (3) only would form. 32. Which of the following substances can be used to
C neutralize the acidic liquid waste from industry?
D. (1), (2) and (3)
(1) Water
28. Lead(II) sulphate can be prepared from lead(II)
(2) Slaked lime
carbonate by the following reactions:
(3) Sodium carbonate
X Z A. (1) and (2) only
PbCO3(s) Y PbSO4(s)
B. (1) and (3) only
Which of the following combinations of X, Y and C. (2) and (3) only
C
Z is correct? D. (1), (2) and (3)
X Y Z 26. (A): dilute sulphuric acid rather than sodium sulphate should be used.
Mg(OH)2 does not react with sodium sulphate.
A. HCl PbCl2 H2SO4 (C): copper does not react with dilute sulphuric acid.
B. HNO3 Pb(NO3)2 Na2SO4 (D): hydrochloric acid rather than silver chloride should be used to
C. NaOH Pb(OH)2 H2SO4 prepare sodium chloride. This is because silver chloride is insoluble in
B water. No aqueous solution of silver chloride can be prepared for
D. H2SO4 PbSO4 H 2O
titration.
28. PbSO4 is an insoluble salt. It can be prepared by precipitation.
Hence, Y should be a soluble salt.
18 34
 18 Salts and neutralization

35. (a) Zinc nitrate

Structured questions (b) ZnCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Zn(NO3)2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O()
(c) Effervescene stops. Insoluble powdered smithsonite is seen.
Section 18.2 (d) To make sure that all the nitric acid has been used up.
3
33. When 2.0 M NaOH(aq) is added to 20.0 cm of 2.0 M HCl(aq), the changes in temperature of the reaction
mixture are shown in the following table. (Answers on p.18-29.)

3
Volume of NaOH(aq) added (cm ) 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0

Temperature of reaction mixture (°C) 20.0 26.0 31.0 35.0 38.0 32.0 20.0

(a) Using a graph paper, plot a graph to show the relationship between the temperature of reaction mixture
and the volume of NaOH(aq) added.
* (b) Explain the change in temperature of the reaction mixture throughout the experiment.
(c) Write an ionic equation for the reaction involved.
(d) Determine the maximum temperature rise of the reaction mixture.
(e) Predict, with explanation, the maximum temperature rise of the reaction mixture if
(i) the concentrations of the acid and alkali are doubled while the volumes of the solutions used
remain the same, and
(ii) the volumes of the acid and alkali are doubled while the concentrations of the solutions used
remain the same. 34. (a) Silver is unreactive. It does not react with hydrochloric acid.
(b) Silver nitrate solution and sodium chloride solution.
Section 18.4 + –
(c) Ag (aq) + Cl (aq) AgCl(s)
34. A student was asked to prepare silver chloride. He/she suggested adding silver metal to hydrochloric acid.
However, his/her teacher stated that the suggestion was not feasible.
(a) Explain why the student’s suggestion was not feasible.
(b) Suggest the chemicals that can be used to prepare silver chloride.
(c) Write an ionic equation for the reaction involved in preparing silver chloride.

35. Smithsonite (or zinc carbonate) is a mineral ore of zinc. It reacts with nitric acid to give salt A which can be
used to set dyes on fabrics in the dyeing industry. The procedure for preparing salt A from smithsonite is
as follows:
3
Stage 1: Dissolve small portions of powdered smithsonite in 100.0 cm of 1.0 M nitric acid in a beaker with
constant stirring, until it is in excess.
Stage 2: Filter the solution from Stage 1 to get a clear aqueous solution of salt A.
Stage 3: Evaporate the filtrate from Stage 2 to obtain the crystals of salt A.
(a) Name salt A.
(b) Write a chemical equation for the reaction between smithsonite and nitric acid.
(c) State TWO observations indicating that powdered smithsonite added is in excess.
(d) Why is it necessary to have smithsonite added in excess? 35. (e)
filter paper
(e) Draw a labelled diagram to show how to obtain the filtrate in Stage 2. excess
(f) Calculate the theoretical mass of anhydrous salt A that can be obtained. powdered filter funnel
smithsonite
(Relative atomic masses: N = 14.0, O = 16.0, Zn = 65.4)
–1 –1
35. (f) Molar mass of Zn(NO3)2 = [65.4 + 2 × (14.0 + 16.0 × 3)] g mol = 189.4 g mol
100.0
Number of moles of HNO3 used = 1.0 × mol = 0.1 mol filtrate
1000
ZnCO3(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Zn(NO3)2(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O() (Zn(NO3)2(aq))
From the equation, mole ratio of HNO3 to Zn(NO3)2 is 2 : 1.
0.1
Number of moles of Zn(NO3)2 formed = mol = 0.05 mol
2
Theoretical mass of Zn(NO3)2 formed = 0.05 × 189.4 g = 9.47 g 35 18
29
 IV Acids and bases 37. Dissolve solid zinc nitrate in distilled water. Then, mix the zinc nitrate solution with (excess) sodium carbonate solution.
Precipitate of zinc carbonate will form. Filter the reaction mixture to obtain the precipitate. Wash the precipitate with a
large amount of distilled water. Finally, dry the precipitate using filter paper or in oven.
36. A student used the set-up below to prepare sodium sulphate.
36. (a) Titration 38. (a) CuO(s) + H2SO4(aq) CuSO4(aq) + H2O()
(b) No. This is because sodium sulphate is soluble in (b) Copper(II) oxide should be used in excess. This is to
water. ensure that all the acid is used up. If not, the salt would
(c) Acid X: dilute sulphuric acid; alkali Y: sodium acid X
be contaminated with the excess acid.
hydroxide solution (c) Filter the reaction mixture and collect the filtrate (i.e.
(d) At this point, just enough acid X has been added copper(II) sulphate solution). Heat the filtrate until it
to neutralize the alkali Y. becomes saturated. Then, allow it to cool slowly to room
(e) Add a little activated charcoal to the coloured burette
temperature. Copper(II) sulphate crystals form after
solution. Warm and then filter the mixture. The some time. Filter the remaining solution to obtain the
filtrate would be a colourless solution of sodium crystals. Wash the crystals with a little cold distilled water.
sulphate. OR Finally, dry the crystals using filter paper.
Repeat the experiment with exactly the same
conical flask
volumes of acid and alkali needed for complete
neutralization. However, do not add any methyl 3
25.0 cm aqueous alkali Y + a few
orange indicator at the start this time. drops of methyl orange indicator
(f) Crystallization 38. (d) (i) This is because sodium hydroxide solution is very corrosive.
(a) Name the above technique used to prepare the salt. If a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution is added to his/her
skin, he/she may get skin burns.
(b) Explain whether sodium sulphate can be prepared by precipitation.
(ii) He/she should wash the affected area with plenty of water.
(c) Suggest an acid X and an alkali Y which can be used to prepare the salt using this method.
(d) The experiment was done by running acid X from the burette to the conical flask, until the solution
turned from yellow to orange. What is the significance of this colour change?
(e) At the end of the experiment, the solution contained sodium sulphate together with the indicator.
Suggest ONE method that can be used to obtain the salt without any indicator.
(f) Name a method used to separate sodium sulphate from the solution.

* 37. Outline the steps in preparing solid zinc carbonate from solid zinc nitrate. State clearly other chemical
reagents required, but need NOT mention the apparatus involved.

38. A student is asked to prepare copper(II) sulphate crystals using copper(II) oxide and dilute sulphuric acid in
a laboratory.
(a) Write a chemical equation for the reaction involved.
(b) Which chemical should be used in excess? Explain your answer.
* (c) Describe how to obtain copper(II) sulphate crystals from the reaction mixture.
(d) During the experiment, the student accidentally spilt some acid on the skin. His/her classmate
suggested him/her to remove the acid by adding a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution onto the
38. (e) This is because the water of crystallization will be removed from copper(II) sulphate
skin.
crystals when heated. Anhydrous copper(II) sulphate is white in colour.
(i) Explain why the classmate’s suggestion is inappropriate.
CuSO4․5H2O(s) CuSO4(s) + 5H2O()
(ii) Hence, suggest what the student should do.
(e) Copper(II) sulphate crystals change to white powder on heating. Explain this observation with the help
of a chemical equation. 39. (a) Calcium hydroxide
(b) CaCO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Section 18.5 CaO(s) + H2O() Ca(OH)2(s)
39. Slaked lime is a commonly used chemical for soil treatment and industrial waste treatment.
(c) To neutralize the acid in soil.
(a) What is the chemical name of slaked lime?
(d) To neutralize the acidic industrial waste before discharge.
(b) Slaked lime can be made from limestone. Write the chemical equations for the production of slaked lime
+ 2+
from limestone. (e) Ca(OH)2(s) + 2H (aq) Ca (aq) + 2H2O()

(c) Suggest ONE use of slaked lime in soil treatment.

(d) Suggest ONE use of slaked lime in industrial waste treatment.
(e) Write an ionic equation to show the use of slaked lime mentioned in (d).

18 36