Acids, Bases

and Salts
 These are compounds that contain
hydrogen, which when dissolved in
ACIDS water breaks loose as a hydrogen ion
(H). The presence of hydrogen gives
acids the following characteristics:
1. Acids’ most distinct characteristic is taste.
They have a sour taste similar to the taste of
citrus fruits. Do not taste to test the presence
of acid. Some can produce painful burns.
2. In industries, many acids are
corrosive. They are very strong acids.
They should, therefore, be handled
with care.
3. Acids change the color of certain
substances like litmus paper. It changes
from blue to red when placed in an acid
solution.
4. Acids are electrolytes. They
produced hydrogen ions which
can conduct electricity when
dissolved in water.
5. Acids neutralize bases,
forming water and salts
from the reaction.
Examples of
Acids
 Widely used for the
Sulfuric manufacture of plastics,
Acid detergents, batteries and
metals.
Hydrochloric Acid
It is found in the stomach to aid
digestion.
Nitric The manufacture of explosive,
rubber, dyes, and
Acid pharmaceuticals.
 It is used in the manufacture of
Phosphoric Acid fertilizers, animal feeds,
detergents, and ceramics.
 An acid that contains only two
Binary Acid different elements: hydrogen
and one of the nonmetals.
BASES They are called alkaline substances and they have their own
characteristics when dissolved in water. Solutions of bases have a
bitter taste. Remember that the tasting base can be hazardous since it
is corrosive. Solutions of bases feel slippery on the skin. Bases change
the color of substances. Red litmus turns blue when placed in solution
containing a base. Base neutralize acids, forming water and salts
from the reaction
Examples of common
bases.
Sodium
Hydroxide -
NaOH - Lye
Calcium
Hydroxide -
Ca(OH)2 -
Limewater
Magnesium
Hydroxide -
Mg(OH)2 - Milk
of Magnesia
SAFETY IN HANDLING
ACIDS AND BASES

Labels contain signal

words:
 Appears on products that are less
CAUTION
harmful to you.
WARNING
Product has more serious effects
than the one with a Caution label.
 It means a product is
DANGER
poisonous or corrosive and
should be used with extreme
care.
Pay attention to these signal words. Follow the direction in
the product labels that tell you how to use the products
safety and correctly. It is important to make it a habit to
read product labels before using the products at home or
in school for your safety. It is also important to know the
proper way of storing these materials.
 When the solutions of an acid and a base
NEUTRALIZATION are mixed, a reaction occurs. The
hydrogen ions from the acid and combine
with the hydroxyl ions from the base to
form molecules in water.
 A measure of H concentration in a solution is
indicated by a unit called pH. Soren Sorensen,
Danish Chemist, developed a scale ranging from 0-
14. Solution with pH lower than seven are acid.
pH SCALE Solutions with pH higher than 7 are base. The lower
the pH value, the more acidic the solution is. The
higher the pH, more basic the solution is. Pure water
is pH of 7.
Soren
Sorensen
 When an acid and a base react, their
hydrogen and hydroxyl ions combine to
SALTS form water molecules. These two ions
are, therefore, removed from the
solution, that is, they no longer present
as separate ions.
 1. Alum - KAI(SO4) - Baking powder
2. Bleaching Powder - Ca(CIO)2 - Bleaching, deodorizer
Examples of 3. Chalk - CaCO - Antacid Tablet
Common Salts 4. Epsom Salt - MgSO4 7H20 - Laxative
5. Gypsum - CaSo4 2H2O - Plaster of Paris