NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 2 Acids, Bases

and Salts
Question-1
You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water
and the other two contain an acidic solution and a basic solution respectively. If
you are given only red litmus paper, how will you identify the contents of each test
tube?
Solution:
The contents of each test tube would be identified by change in colour of red
litmus paper. For example, when we wet the red litmus paper with the basic
solution, it changes into blue colour. Put the changed blue litmus paper in the
solution which turns the blue to red will be the acidic solution. The solution, which
has no effect on any litmus paper, will be neutral and hence it will be distilled
water.
Question-2
Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels?
Solution:
Curd and other sour foodstuffs contain acids, which can react with the metal of the
vessel to form poisonous metal compounds which can cause food poisoning and
damage our health.
Question-3
Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal?
Solution:
When an acid reacts with metal, a salt and hydrogen gas is formed. i.e

Question-4
Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence.
The gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical
equation for the reaction if one of the compounds formed is calcium chloride.
Solution:
The gas that extinguishes a burning candle is carbon dioxide, which is formed by
the action of dilute hydrochloric acid on a metal carbonate and produces
effervescence. Now, since one of the compounds formed is calcium chloride, it
shows that the metal compound is calcium carbonate. Thus, the metal compound A
is calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric
acid to form calcium chloride, carbon dioxide and water. This can be written as:
Question-5
Why do HCl, HNO3, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while
solutions of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?
Solution:
An acid is a substance, which dissociates on dissolving in water to produce
hydrogen ions [H+(aq) ions]. The acids like HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 and CH3COOH,
etc., show acidic character because they dissociate in aqueous solutions to produce
hydrogen ions, H+(aq) ions.
The compounds such as glucose and alcohol also contain hydrogen but they do not
show acidic character. The aqueous solutions of glucose and alcohol do not show
acidic character because the hydrogen in them does not separate out as hydrogen
ions [H+ (aq) ions] on dissolving in water.
Question-6
Why does an aqueous solution of acid conduct electricity?
Solution:
The aqueous solution of an acid conducts electricity due to the presence of charged
particles called ions in it.
Question-7
Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper?
Solution:
Dry HCl gas does not contain any hydrogen ions in it, so it does not show acidic
behaviour. In fact, dry HCl gas does not change the colour of dry litmus paper as it
has no hydrogen ions [H+(aq) ions] in it.
Question-8
While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to
water and not water to the acid?
Solution:
Diluting an acid should be done by adding concentrated acid to water gradually
with stirring and not by adding water to concentrated acid.
The heat is evolved gradually when a concentrated acid is added to water for
diluting an acid and the large amount of water is easily absorbed.
If, however, water is added to concentrated acid to dilute it, a large amount of heat
is evolved at once. The heat generated may cause the mixture to splash the acid on
our face or clothes and cause acid burns.
Question-9
How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H 3O+) affected when a solution of an
acid is diluted?
Solution:
When the concentrated solution of an acid is diluted by mixing water, the
concentration of hydronium ions H3O+ per unit volume decreases.
Question-10
How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) affected when excess base is
dissolved in water?
Solution:
When the solution of a base is diluted by mixing more water in it, the
concentration of hydroxide ions (OH– ions) per unit volume decreases.
Question-11
You have two solutions A and B. The pH of solution A is 6 and pH of solution B is
8.
i. Which solution has more hydrogen ion concentration?
ii. Which of this is acidic and which one is basic?
Solution:
The pH of a solution is inversely proportional to its hydrogen ion concentration.
This means that the solution having lower pH will have more hydrogen ion
concentration. In this case, solution A(having a lower pH of 6) will have more
hydrogen ion concentration.Solution A is acidic and solution B is basic.
Question-12
What effect does the concentration of H+(aq) ions have on the nature of the
solution?
Solution:
Acids produce hydrogen ions in water. So, when an acid is added to water, the
concentration of hydrogen ions in water increases. The solution of acid thus
formed will have more of hydrogen ions and it will be acidic in nature.
Question-13
Do basic solutions also have H+(aq) ions? If yes, why are these basic?
Solution:
No, the basic solution doesn’t have H+ ions as the solution has excess of hydroxide
ions.
Question-14
Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields
with quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk
(calcium carbonate)?
Solution:
Most often the soil in the fields is too acidic. If the soil is too acidic (having low
pH), it is treated with materials like quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime
(calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate). Thus, a farmer should add lime
or slaked lime in his fields when the soil is too acidic.
Question-15
What is the common name of the compound CaOCl 2?
Solution:
The common name of the compound CaOCl 2 is bleaching powder.
Question-16
Name the substance that on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder.
Solution:
Calcium hydroxide is the substance that on treatment with chlorine yields
bleaching powder.
Question-17
Name the sodium compound, which is used, for softening hard water.
Solution:
Sodium carbonate (washing soda) is used for softening hard water.
Question-18
What will happen if a solution of sodium hydro carbonate is heated? Give the
equation of the reaction involved.
Sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide are evolved when sodium hydro carbonate is
heated.

Question-19
Write an equation to show the reaction between plaster of Paris and water.
Solution:
Plaster of Paris has a very remarkable property of setting into a hard mass on
wetting with water. So, when water is added to plaster of Paris, it sets into a hard
mass in about half an hour. The setting of plaster of Paris is due to the hydration
crystals of gypsum, which set to form a hard, solid mass.
Question-20
Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rainwater does?
Solution:
Distilled water does not conduct electricity because it does not contain any ionic
compound (like acids, bases or salts) dissolved in it. On the other hand, rain water
conducts electricity. This can be explained as follows: Rain water, while falling to
the earth through the atmosphere, dissolves an acidic gas carbon dioxide from the
air and forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid provides hydrogen ions, H +
(aq), and carbonate ions, CO2-3 (aq), to rain water. So, due to the presence of
carbonic acid (which provides ions to rain water), the rain water conducts
electricity.
Question-21
Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water?
Solution:
The acidic behaviour of acid is due to the presence of hydrogen ions. The acids
will not show its acidic behaviour in the absence of water, this is because the acids
produce hydrogen ions only in the presence of water.
Question-22
Five solutions A, B, C, D and E when tested with universal indicator showed pH as
4, 1, 11, 7 and 9 respectively. Which solution is?
(i) Neutral?
(ii) Strongly alkaline?
(iii) Strongly acidic?
(iv) Weakly acidic?
(v) Weakly alkaline? Arrange the pH in increasing order of hydrogen-ion
concentration.
Solution:

Question-23
Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric
acid (HCl) is added to test-tube A while acetic acid (CH 3COOH) is added to test-
tube B. In which test-tube will fizzing occur more vigorously and why?
Solution:
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid whereas hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a
strong acid. Fizzing occurs in the test tube due to the evolution of hydrogen gas by
the action of acid on magnesium ribbon. Since hydrochloric acid is a strong acid a
large amount of hydrogen gas is liberated in the test tube A. So fizzing occurs
more vigorously in test tube A .
Question-24
Fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into
curd? Explain.
Solution:
The pH will change to below 6, as lactic acid is formed when milk turns into curd.
Question-25
Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture-proof container. Why?
Solution:
The presence of moisture can affect the slow setting of plaster of Paris by bringing
about its hydration. This will make the plaster of Paris useless after some time.
Question-26
What is a neutralization reaction? Give two examples.
Solution:
The reaction of an acid and a base, giving rise to the corresponding salt and water
is called neutralization reaction.
Examples:
NaOH + HCl —> NaCl + H2O
Mg(OH)2 + H2CO3 —> MgCO3 + 2H2O

Question-27
Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda.
Solution:
Washing soda
1. It is often used as an electrolyte.
2. Domestically it is used as a water softener during laundry.
Baking soda
1. It is used to test garden soil for acidity. If it develops bubbles, the soil is too
acidic.
2. Washing a car with it can remove dead bug bodies without damaging the paint.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) [1 Mark each]
Question 1.
Equal pieces of zinc granules are dropped in four test tubes. Following substances
are poured in all the four test tubes. The reaction will be vigorous with [CCE
2014]
(a) CH3COOH
(b) HCl
(c) sodium bicarbonate solution
(d) lemon juice
Answer:
(b) Strong adds like HCl react vigorously with active metals like Zn and form
metal salt and evolve H2 gas.

Question 2.
Which of the following statements shows the property of an acid? [CCE 2014]
(a) It turns blue litmus to red
(b) It is sour in taste
(c) It has no effect on red litmus
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) An acid turns blue litmus red. Thus, it has no effect on red litmus and acids are
sour in taste.
Question 3.
A drop of a liquid sample was put on the pH paper. It was observed that the colour
of the pH paper turned blue. The liquid sample is [CCE 2014]
(a) lemon juice
(b) sodium bicarbonate solution
(c) distilled water
(d) hydrochloric acid
Answer:
(b) The liquid sample is of sodium bicarbonate (NaHC3) solution. It is a basic
solution. And we know that a basic solution turns pH paper blue.
Question 4.
Two solutions X and Y were found to have pH value of 4 and 10 respectively. The
inference that can be drawn is [CCE 2014]
(a) X is a base and Y is an acid
(b) Both X and Y are acidic solutions
(c) X is an acid and Yis a base
(d) Both X and Y are bases
Answer:
(c) Any solution having pH > 7 will be a base while the solution having pH < 7
will surely be an acid. Hence, it can be concluded that X is an acid (pH=4, i.e. < 7)
and Yis a base (pH =10, i.e. > 7).
Question 5.
A student was asked to collect apparatus from lab store, for doing experiment of
pH of given sample. Identify the article which he is not supposed to pick. [CCE
2014]
(a) pH paper
(b) Dropper
(c) Litmus paper
(d) Petri dish
Answer:
(d) Petri dish is not required for doing experiment of pH.
Question 6.
Which one of the following would you need to identify the gas that evolve when
you heat NaOH solution with zinc metal? [CCE 2014]
(a) Red litmus solution
(b) Blue litmus solution
(c) A burning splinter / matchstick
(d) Lime water
Answer:
(c) When a base like NaOH is treated with any active metal like Zn, it produces H 2
gas. And the presence of the hydrogen gas can be tested by bringing a burning
splinter/ matchstick near the gas produced. The gas will burn with a pop sound
confirming the presence of hydrogen gas.

Question 7.
A solution has pH value of 5. On adding 10 mL of NaCl to it, what will be the pH
of the new solution?
(a) More than 5
(b) Less than 5
(c) Only seven
(d) No change in pH
Answer:
(d) As NaCl is a neutral solution due to its complete ionisation in H 2O and has pH
= 7. Thus, it will not affect the pH of the solution. Hence, the pH of the solution
will remain unaffected.
Question 8.
A salt is dissolved in water. The pH of this salt solution was found to be 7 by
measuring the pH with a universal indicator paper. The salt is most likely to be
(a) Na2CO3
(b) KCl
(c) NH4Cl
(d) CH3COONa
Answer:
(b) Salts which are completely ionisable in water are said to be neutral salts and
their pH is equal to 7. Among the given salts, only KCl is completely ionisable in
the following manner: KCl (aq) —-> K+ + Cl
Hence, the pH of KCl will be 7.
Question 9.
A student performed an experiment using zinc granules and . sodium carbonate
with sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid under different
conditions as shown below.

In which set up, no gas is evolved?

(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
Answer:
(d) Gas will not evolve in the case of IV set up as NaOH does not react with
sodium carbonate.
Question 10.
Four set ups as given below are arranged to identify the gas evolved when dilute
hydrochloric acid was added to zinc granules. Which is the most appropriate set
up?
(a) I
(b) II
(c) IV
(d) III
Answer:
(c) The gas evolved can be tested as shown in IV set up because to evolve H 2 gas
delivery tube, should not dip in the acid.
Question 11.
Four students I, II, III and IV were asked to examine the changes for blue and red
litmus paper strips with dil. HCl (Solution A) and dil. NaOH (Solutions). The
following observations were reported by the 4 students. The sign ………….
indicates no colour change. [CCE2015 ]

I Blue — red Blue red —

II Red — blue Red — blue

III Blue red red Blue blue blue

IV Red blue blue Red red red

 The correct observation would be of student

(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
Answer:
(c) The correct observation is taken by student III because HCl (solution A) is an
acid which turns blue litmus red and dil. NaOH (solution B) is a base which turns
red litmus blue.
Question 12.
A sample of soil is mixed with water and allowed to settle. The clear supernatant
solution turns the pH paper yellowish orange. Which of the following would
change the colour of this pH paper to greenish blue? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Lemon juice
(b) Vinegar
(c) Common salt
(d) An antacid
Answer:
(d) As pH paper turns greenish blue for weakly basic compound and antacids
contain weak base like Mg(OH)2. So, an antacid would change the colour of this
pH paper to greenish blue. Other options (a) and (b) contain acids and option (c) is
a neutral salt.