ACIDS - BASES - SALTS

Do you eat fruits ? How most of them taste ? ....................SOUR ?

We use different types food stuffs.The sour taste of lemon , orange , mango ,
tamarind , curd ....etc and other fruits is due to the presence of acids in them.
Do you know acid is also present in our stomach which helps in digesttion ?
Yes, it is hydrochloric acid.Bases and Salts also play very important role in our
daily life. In this chapter you will study about their properties , classification
and uses.

Acids Bases and Salts are the three categories in which chemical compounds
are broadly divided.

Acids
The word "acid" is derived from the latin word 'acidus' which means 'sour'. An
Acid is a compound which on dissolving in water produces hydronium
ions (H3O+) as the only positively charged ions.

General Properties of Acids :

i) Acids are sour in taste.
ii) Most acids are corrosive in nature.Due to their corrosive nature they can
corrode metals.They can burn cloth, paper, plastic ,wood and even our
skin.
iii) They are soluble in water.
iv) They turn blue litmus paper red.(Litmus paper is an indicator which
can show color change in acidic/basic medium)
v) They are good conductors of electricity.

Acids are mainly classified on the basis of :

a) Occurrence b) Strength c) Concentration

a) On the basis of occurence acids are classified into Organic and Inorganic
acids.
Organic acids are the acids which are obtained from living
organisms,i.e.plants and animals.
Organic acid Source
Acetic acid Vinegar
Ascorbic acid Lemon
(vitamin-C)
Citric acid Orange,Lemon....citrus fruits
Lactic acid Curd, Buttermilk
Tartaric acid Tamarind
Malic acid Apple
Oxalic acid Tomato , Spinach
Folic acid Sting of ants and bees
Inorganic acids are the acids which are obtained from minerals which are
found in the earth's crust.Therefor they are also known as "Mineral acids".
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) , Sulphuric acid (H 2SO4) and Nitric acid (HNO3 ) are the
examples of Inorganic acids

b) On the basis of strength acids are classified into Strong and Weak acids.

Strong acids are the acids which dissociate (ionise) completely into ions when
dissolved in water. On dissolving acid in water hydrogen from acid combines
with water molecule and forms Hydronium ion.

Example : HCl ----> H+ + Cl -

H+ + H2O ------> H3O+
(hydronium ion)

Examples of strong acids : HCl , H2SO4 , HNO3

Weak acids are the acids which dissociate (ionise) partially into ions when
dissolved in water.Sinced only some of the ions dissociate weak acids contain
ions as well as molecules.

Examples of weak acids : Carbonic acid – H2CO3 , Phosphoric acid – H3PO4 and
Acetic acid – CH3COOH

On the basis of concentration acids are classified into Concentrated and Weak
acids.
Concentrated acids are the acids in which the amount of water is less or we
can say that when an acid is dissolved in less amount of water it is called
Concentrated acid. They contain more amount of acid and less amount of
water.

Dilute acids are the acids in which the amount of water is more or we can say
that when an acid is dissolved in more amount of water it is called Dilute acid.
They contain more amount of water and less amount of acid.

Acids are also classified on the basis of the elements present in them.
Oxyacids – in which hydrogen and oxygen both the elements are present.
e.g. - H2SO4 , HNO3 , H2CO3 , H3PO4
Hydracids - in which hydrogen is present as one of the elements , but oxygen
is not. e.g. HCl , HBr , HI

Methods of preparations of Acids :

i) By Direct Combination method
ii) By the action of water on non-metallic oxides
iii) By heating salt with conc.sulphuric acid
Direct Combination method :
 When hydrogen gas is burnt in chlorine gas hydrogen chloride gas is
formed which when dissolved in water forms hydrochloric acid.

H2 + Cl2 -----> 2HCl

 Similarly - H2 + Br2 -----> 2HBr

H2 + I2 -----> 2HI

Action of water on non-metallic oxides :

 When non-metallic oxides like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide dissolve
in water , acids are formed.

CO2 + H2O -----> H2CO 3

carbonic acid

SO2 + H2O -----> H2SO3

sulfuric acid

Heating Salts with conc. Sulphuric acid :

2NaCl + H2SO4 -----> Na2SO4 + 2HCl

Sodium chloride Sodium sulphate Hydrochloric acid

2NaNO3 + H2SO4 -----> Na2SO4 + 2HNO3

Sodium nitrate Sodium sulphate Nitric acid

What is Basicity of an Acid ?

Acids when dissolved in water releases(furnishes) hydrogen ions, which

cimbines with water molecule to form hydronium ion.Basicity means the
number of hydrogen ions produced by one molecule of an acid when
dissolved in water.

Acids are classified into three types based on their basicity.

(i) Monobasic acid : An acid which furnishes one hydrogen ion when
dissolved in water. e.g. HCl , HNO3

(ii) Dibasic acid : An acid which furnishes two hydrogen ions

when dissolved in water. e.g. H2SO4 , H2CO3

(iii) Tribasic acid : An acid which furnishes three hydrogen ions when
dissolved in water. e.g. H3PO4 , H3BO3
Chemical properties of acids : Observe the following table.

Sr. Acid Reaction with Chemical Equation

No
.
1 Hydrochloric acid - Metals like Sodium(Na) 2Na + HCl---> 2NaCl + H2
HCl and Zinc (Zn)
Zn + HCl ---> ZnCl2 + H2
2 Hydrochloric acid Metal oxide like Sodium Na2O + HCl --> 2NaCl + H2O
(HCl) oxide and Calcium oxide
Sulphuric acid- CaO + H2SO4 --> CaSO4 + H2O
(H2SO4)
3 Hydrochloric acid Metal carbonate CaCO3 + 2HCl --> CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
(HCl)
Sulphuric acid- Na2CO3 + H2SO4 --> Na2SO4 + CO2 + H2O
(H2SO4)
4 Hydrochloric acid Metal bicarbonate NaHCO3 + HCl --> NaCl + CO2 + H2O
(HCl)
Sulphuric acid- 2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 --> Na2SO4 + 2CO2 +
(H2SO4) 2H2O
5 Hydrochloric acid Bases HCl + NaOH --> NaCl + H2O
(HCl)
Sulphuric acid- H2SO4 + 2KOH --> K2SO4 + 2H2O
(H2SO4)

From the above table we can conclude the following generalized equations :

 Metal + Acid --> Salt + Hydrogen gas

 Metal oxide + Acid --> Salt + water

 Metal carbonate + Acid --> Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water

 Metal bi-carbonate + Acid --> Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water

 Acid + Base --> Salt + Water

Uses of Acids :

Hydrochloric acid :
(i) In laboratory as a reagent
(ii) In manufacturing medicines , glue , PVC , paints , dyes ,metal
chlorides...etc.
(iii) Useful in digestion of food in our stomach
(iv) For cleaning bathroom tiles and metal surfaces
 (v) To manufacture "Aqua regia" which is a mixture of conc. HCl and
conc. HNO3 in the ratio 3:1.

Sulphuric acid :
(i) To manufacture medicines , paints , dyes , pigments , explosives ,
and fertilizers
(ii) Used in petroleum refining
(iii) Used in car batteries
(iv) Used as a chemical reagent and catalyst in labs
(v) Used to make hydrochloric acid and nitric acid

Nitric acid :
(i) To manufacture aqua regia , fertilizers , drugs and dyes
(ii) To manufacture explosives like Dynamite ,TNT(trinitrotoluene) and
TNG (trinitroglycerine)

Bases

It is a chemical compound which furnishes hydroxyl ion (OH -) when

dissolved in water.
Water soluble bases are called "Alkalis" e.g. NaOH , KOH , Ca(OH) 2 , MgO.
Bases which are not soluble in water are known as bases only. e.g. Zn(OH)2 ,
Cu(OH)2 , Fe(OH)3
[Remember – Oxides and hydroxides of all metals are bases,those among
these which are soluble in water are "alkalis"] So we can say that all alkalis
are bases but all bases are not alkalis.

General Properties of Bases :

 They are bitter in taste and slippery to touch.
 Some bases are corrosive in nature.
 Some bases are soluble in water.
 Their aqueous solution is good conductor of electricity.
 They turn red litmus paper blue.

Classification of Bases :
Based on their strength bases are classified into two categories-
(i) Strong Bases : Bases which dissociate (ionise) completely in water and
produce high concentration of hydroxyl ions (OH -) are known as strong
bases.e.g. NaOH , KOH

(ii) Weak Bases : Bases which dissociate (ionise) partially in water

and produce low concentration of hydroxyl ions (OH-)/ few OH- radicals
are known as weak bases.e.g. NaOH , KOH
Acidity of a Base : Bases when dissolved in water releases(furnishes)
hydroxyl ions.Acidity of a Base means the number of hydroxyl ions
produced by one molecule of a base when dissolved in water.

Bases are mainly classified into four type based on their acidity.

i) Monoacidic base : Bases which can furnish one hydroxyl ion when
dissolved in water are monoacidic bases.
e.g. NaOH , KOH

ii) Diacidic bases : Bases which can furnish two hydroxyl ions when
dissolved in water are diacidic bases.
e.g. Ca(OH)2 , Mg(OH)2

iii) Triacidic bases : Bases which can furnish three hydroxyl ions when
dissolved in water are triacidic bases.
e.g. Fe(OH)3 , Al(OH)3

Preparation of Bases :
There are mainly three processes to prepare bases.

(i) Dissolveing metal oxide in water-

First form metal oxide by burning metal in air,then dissolve that oxide in
water.Understand the following examples given with the chemical equations.

 4Na + O2 --> 2Na2O

sodium oxide
 Na2O + H2O --> 2NaOH
sodium hydroxide

Other examples : 4K + O2 --> 2K2O 2Ca + O2 --> 2CaO

potassium oxide calcium oxide

K 2O + H2O --> 2KOH CaO + H2O --> Ca(OH)2

potassium hydroxide Calcium
hydroxide

(ii) Action of water/steam on metals :

Sodium and potassium react with water to produce bases respectively

sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.Along with these products
hydrogen gas is also produced.

2Na + 2H2O --> 2NaOH + H2

2K + 2H2O --> 2KOH + H2

Magmesium metal reacts with steam and forms magnesium oxide and
hydrogen gas.

Mg + H 2O --> MgO + H2

Similarly , 3Fe + 4H 2O --> Fe3O4 + 4H2

red-hot iron steam Iron oxide hydrogen gas

(iii) On heating metal carbonates :

Metal carbonates produce bases and carbon dioxide gas on

heating.

e.g. CaCO3 -----> CaO + CO2

Calcium carbonate Calcium oxide Carbon dioxide

ZnCO3 -----> ZnO + CO2

Zinc carbonate Zinc oxide Carbon dioxide

Chemical Properties of Bases :

(a) On strong heating calcium hydroxide decomposes to produce calcium oxide

and water.

Ca(OH)2 ----> CaO + H 2O

Similarly with copper hydroxide Cu(OH) 2. Write the equation below.

(b) When a base react with carbon dioxide metal carbonate and water
forms.
Calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to yield calcium carbonate
and water.

Ca(OH)2 + CO2 ----> CaCO3 + H 2O

Uses of Bases :

Sodium hydroxide(NaOH) and Potassium hydroxide (KOH) :

(Caustic soda) (Caustic potash)

 In manufacturing of soap , paper , paints and medicines

 In refining of petroleum
 As a cleaning agent to remove grease from machine parts

Calcium hydroxide(slaked lime) :

 In the preparation of white wash , mortar , plaster of paris

 In manufacturing cement and bleaching powder
 For testing of carbon dioxide gas
 For neutralizing acidic soil

Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) :

 To manufacture fertilizers , rayon , plastic , paints , dyes and cleanser.

Neutralisation reaction :

The reaction between an acid and a base to form salt and water is known as
Neutralisation reaction.

Acid + Base ----> Salt + Water.Sinced

e.g. HCl + NaOH ----> NaCl + H 2O

H2SO4 + Cu(OH)2 ----> CuSO4 + 2H2O

Uses of Neutralisation reaction :

 If the soil is too acidic or basic plants don't grow well.If soil is acidic in
nature than basic compounds are added to the soil to make it
neutralize.If soil is basic in nature than acidic compounds are added to
the soil to make it neutralize. While adding these compounds to the soil
we should follow the proper suggested ratio.

 If we don't brush regularly bits of food remain between our teeth and
lead to tooth decay due to acid formation.(some bacterias are
responsible for the acid production out of the remaining food bits in our
teeth) Toothpaste contains bases which can neutralize the acids and thus
prevent teeth damage .
  To neutralise the excess amount of acid produced in our stomach,we can
take antacids which contain bases like magnesium hydroxide and
aluminium hydroxide.Thus we can cure acidity.

 In case of an ant sting or a bee sting we can apply baking soda(sodium

bicarbonate-NaHCO3) on that part as it is a base which neutralises the
acid released by ant or bee.

 Some factories release harmful wastes which contain acids in them, to

neutralized the effect of acids factory wastes are treated with bases.

SALTS
A salt is compound which is formed by the reaction between an acid and a
base.(refer the examples of neutralization reaction)

Classification of Salts :

Depending on their formation salts are classified mainly in three types.

(i) Normal or Neutral Salt – When a strong acid and strong base react
with each other normal salt forms.Some examples are Sodium chloride
(NaCl) , Potassium nitrate (KNO3) , and Sodium sulphate (Na2SO4).

e.g. HCl + NaOH ----> NaCl + H2O

Try yourself : Write the products with names and balance the equation.

NaOH + H2SO4 ----> _______ + _______

(ii) Acidic Salt – A salt formed by the reaction between a strong acid and a
weak base. Due to the presence of one H + ion they are called acidic salts.This
happens because of the partial neutralization of an acid by a base.Some
examples are Sodium bisulphate (NaHSO4), Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and
Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)

e.g. NH4OH + HCl ----> NH4Cl + H 2O

Try yourself : Write the products with names and balance the equation.

NaOH + H2CO3 ----> ________ + ________

(iii) Basic Salts- A salt by the reaction between a strong base and a weak
acid. Due to the presence of one OH - ion they are called basic salts.This
happens because of the partial neutralization of a base by an acid.Some
examples are Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and Magnesium hydroxychloride
Mg(OH)Cl.
 e.g. 2NaOH + H2CO3 ----> Na2CO3 + 2H2O

Try yourself : Write the products with names and balance the equation.

Mg(OH)2 + HCl ----> __________ + ________

Remember :

Types of Acid and Base Type of Salt formed

Strong acid + Strong base Normal salt
Weak acid + Weak base Normal salt
Strong acid + Weak base Acidic salt
Weak acid + Strong base Basic salt

General properties of Salts :

 Most of the salts are solid.
 Most salts are soluble in water.
 Salt solutions in water (Aqueous salt sol.) are good conductors of
electricity.
 They have high melting and boiling points.

Uses of Salts :

Salts Uses
Sodium chloride-NaCl * In cooking of food
* To preserve pickles , meat , fish
* In manufacturing chemicals and soaps
* Use in the freezing mixture
Baking Soda-NaHCO3 * For making cakes & breads
* In making medicines like antacids
* In fire extinguishers
Washing Soda-Na2CO3 * In making soaps,detergents,glass,paper,paints
* In fire extinguishers
* For washing clothes in laundry
Blue vitriol-CuSO4 * Used as a fungicide in agriculture
* Used for dying clothes
* In electroplating & printing industry
Alum-K2SO4 Al2(SO4)3 24H2O * Used for fast sedimentation & purification of water
* Used as an aftershave
* As an antiseptic
* In dyeing industry
Silver nitrate-AgNO3 * In photography
* For manufacturing medicines
 INDICATORS and PH – scale

Ravi's chemistry teacher gave him three test tubes,all having colourless
liquids in them.Now he is asked to identify these liquids – which test tube
contains acid ,which contains base and which is having salt solution ? Can you
help Ravi in solving this problem ?
[Think about
Indicators]
To help Ravi,study the following topic carefully.

Most of the acids and bases are colourless. To know whether the given liquid is
acid or base we use special chemicals known as Indicators.Indicators are the
substances which show colour change in acidic and basic medium.

Some examples are litmus papers , phenolphthalein ,methyl orange.

Observe the following table :

Indicators Colour change in Acid Colour change in Base

Red litmus paper No change Blue
Blue litmus paper Red No change
Phenolphthalein Colourless Pink
Methyl orange Red Yellow

pH – sacle : The concentration or the amount of hydrogen ions in a

solution is measured by pH. pH means Potential of Hydrogen. pH scale
determines the strength of acid and base between the range of 0-14.
pH paper is used as an indicator to know the strength of acid and base.
The change in colour of the pH paper is matched with the pH colour chart
which comes along with pH paper.

If the pH of the solution is less than 7 than it is acidic. If the pH of the solution
is more than 7 than it is basic. The solution is said to be neutral if it's pH value
is 7.
REFERENCE BOOKS USED :
1. A Text book of Chemistry(ICSE)-By Anita Prasad-General Printers
Publishers
2. Simplified Middle School chemistry for ICSE-By Dr.Viraf J Dalal-Allied
Publishers
3. ICSE-Chemistry-By Shalini Mahajan-Shrijan Publishers
4. Essential Science-Chemistry-M H Freeland & J G Tidy
5. Basic Science-A Textbook of Chemistry-By Mrs. Sharmila Batra &
Mrs.Sisily Benny – C.P.Publishers
6. A Textbook of Chemistry(ICSE)-By A Mishra-Bharati Bhavan Publishers