Acids, bases and salts

ASSIGNMENT - 1
INDICATORS

Substances which show the acidic or basic behavior of other substance are known as indicators.
Types of Indicators:
Natural
Olfactory Indicator
Synthetic Indicator
Natural Indicator:  Litmus, turmeric, red cabbage, China rose, etc.
Litmus: Litmus is obtained from lichens. Litmus paper comes in two colours – blue and red.

Olfactory
Indicators: 
Substan ces which
change their smell
when mixed with
acid or base are
known as olfactory
indicators.
For example
onion, vanilla,
clove, etc.

Synthetic Indicator: Indicators that are synthesized in laboratory are known as synthetic

indicators. For example; phenolphthalein, methyl orange, etc.
Acids: There are many substances which contain acid and hence taste sour, such as curd,
tamarind, lemon, etc.

Bases: Sodium hydroxide , calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide ,etc. are examples of base.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

Reaction of acids with metal:

Acid + Metal  Salt + Hydrogen gas

Example:  Zn + 2HCl ⇨ ZnCl2 + H2

Test for hydrogen gas: The gas evolved after reaction of acid with metal can be tested by
bringing a lighted candle near it. If the gas burns with pop sound, then it confirms the evolution
of hydrogen gas.
 Reac
tion of acids with metal carbonate:

Examples:  Na2CO3 + 2HCl ⇨ 2NaCl + CO2  + H2O

Reaction of acid with hydrogen carbonates (bicarbonates):

Acid + Metal hydrogen carbonate ⇨ Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water

NaHCO3 + HCl ⇨ NaCl + CO2  + H2O

Test for evolution of carbon dioxide gas: Carbon dioxide turns lime water milky when passed
through it.

This happens because of formation of white precipitate of calcium carbonate.

Ca(OH)2 + CO2  ⇨ CaCO3 + H2O

CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O ⇨ Ca(HCO3 )2

But when excess of carbon dioxide is passed through lime water, it makes milky colour of lime
water disappear. This happens because of formation of calcium hydrogen carbonate. As calcium
hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water, thus the milky colour of solution mixture disappears.
 Neutralisation Reaction: An acid neutralizes a base when they react with each other and salt
and water are formed.
Acid + Base ⇨ Salt + Water

HCl + NaOH ⇨ NaCl + H2O

Note: The most important thing in whole process is that H+ and OH- ions combine to form H2O.

Reaction of acids with metal Oxides - Acids give water along with respective salt when they
react with a metal oxide. Example :

CuO + 2HCl (aq)  CuCl2 + H2O

Reaction of bases with non-metal Oxides -

When a base reacts with non-metal oxide both neutralize each other resulting in respective salt
and water.
Example :

Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g)  CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)

Note :
 When an acid reacts with a metal oxide, both neutralize each other. In this reaction,
respective salt and water are formed as we saw in neutralization reaction. So it can be said that
metal oxides are basic in nature.
 Similarly when a base reacts with a non – metal oxide, both neutralize each other. In this
reaction, respective salt and water are formed. So it can be said that non - metal oxides are acidic
in nature.