Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

MODULE 10

ACIDS, BASES, SALTS AND pH

Learning Outcomes:

a. Define acid, salt, pOH, Alkalies, base, pH, and dissociation constant of water
b. State the formula of pH
c. State the formula of pOH
d. Calculate the pH of a specified solution

Lesson Outline:
MODULE 10: ACID, BASES, SALTS and pH
10.1 Acid, Base and Salts
10.2 Calculating pH and pOH

REFERENCES:
Book:
Mackay, K. M., Mackay, R. A., Henderson, W., (2002). Introduction to Modern Inorganic
Chemistry 6th edition. Nelson Thomas Ltd

Online References:
Khan Academy. Acids, Bases, pH and Buffers.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/water-acids-and-bases/acids-bases-and-
ph/a/acids-bases-ph-and-
bufffers#:~:text=Anything%20below%207.0%20is%20acidic,pH%20values%20of%20commo
n%20substances.
Science Learning Hub. Acids and bases-introduction.
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/3019-acids-and-bases-introduction
https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/howtosolveit/Equilibrium/Calculating_pHandpOH.htm#:
~:text=To%20calculate%20the%20pH%20of,%5BH3O%2B%5D.

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 1 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

PRE- COMPETENCY ACTIVITY

▪
Identify the following substance if it is acid, base and salts
1. Tamarind
2. Coffee
3. Table Salt
4. Vinegar
5. Dishwashing Detergent
6. Shampoo
7. Orange Juice
8. Baking Soda
9. Iodized Salt
10. Toothpaste

Solve the following problems about pH and pOH.

1. Find the pH of a 0.15 M HCl solution.

2. Calculate the pH of 0.84 M NaOH solution.

3. What is the pH of 24.5 M HNO3 solution?

4. Compute the pH of 8.19 M H2SO4 solution

5. Solve the pH of 0.0036 M Nitric Acid solution

6. What is the pOH of a sodium hydroxide solution with 2.13 x 10-3 M

7. Calculate the pOH of hydrochloric acid solution with 0.056 M.

8. Find the pOH of potassium hydroxide solution with 4.15 M.

9. Compute the pOH of calcium hydroxide solution with 3.60 M.

10. Solve for the pOH of calcium carbonate solution with 0.234 M.

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 2 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

Lesson 10.1 ACID, BASE and SALTS

ACID
An ACID is a substance that produces hydrogen (H+) ions when it is added to water.
It is capable of donating a proton or hydrogen ion to another substance. Thus, acids
are proton donors or electron acceptors. In a compound they all contain at least
one H (hydrogen).

Examples:

• HCl – hydrochloric acid

• H2SO4 – sulfuric acid
• HNO3 – nitric acid.

PROPERTIES OF ACIDS
1. Acids taste sour. Acid comes from the Latin “acere”, which means “sour”.
2. Acids can change litmus paper from blue to red.
3. Acids react with bases to form salts and water.
4. Acids can release H2 upon reaction with an active metal.
5. Acids are corrosive.

CLASSIFICATION OF ACIDS

A. STRONG ACIDS
- They break down completely to give off many H+ ions in their
aqueous states.

Examples:

• H2SO4 – Sulfuric Acid

• HCl – Hydrochloric Acid
• HBr – Hydrobromic Acid
• HI – Hydroiodic acid
• HNO3 – Nitric Acid
• HClO4 – Perchloric Acid

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 3 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

B. WEAK ACIDS
- They partially break down, give less number of H+ in the
aqueous states.

Examples:

• CH3COOH – Acetic Acid (Vinegar)

• H2CO3 – Carbonic Acid

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE OF ACIDS

• Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) in stomach.
• Citric Acid in citrus fruits like orange.
• CH3COOH or commonly vinegar.
• Carbonic Acid (H2CO3) in soft drinks.
• Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) in car batteries.
• Ascorbic Acid (C6H8O6) in medicines.
• Nitric Acid (HNO3) used in explosives and fertilizers.
• Acetic Acid in Cheese.

BASE
A BASE is a substance that neutralizes acids. When bases are added to water,
they split to form hydroxide ions, written as OH-. They are proton acceptors and
electron pair donors.

PROPERTIES OF BASES
1. Bases taste bitter.
2. Bases are slippery or soapy to touch.
3. Bases can change litmus paper from red to blue.
4. Bases react with acids to form salts and water.
5. Bases in their aqueous solutions conduct electric current.

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 4 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

CLASSIFICATION OF BASES

A. STRONG BASES
- They can release hydroxyl ions in maximum amounts.

Examples:

• KOH – Potassium Hydroxide

• NaOH – Sodium Hydroxide
• LiOH – Lithium Hydroxide
• RbOH – Rubidium Hydroxide
• CsOH – Cesium Hydroxide

B. WEAK BASES
- They can release hydroxyl ions in less amounts.

Examples:

• NH3 – Ammonia
• CH3NH2 – Methylamine
• C5H5N – Pyridine
• NH4OH – Ammonium Hydroxide

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE OF BASES

• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) or caustic soda used in washing soaps.
• Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) or potash used in bathing soaps.
• Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH)2 or Lime Water use in white wash.
• Magnesium Hydroxide Mg(OH)2 or Milk Magnesia to control acidity
• Ammonium Hydroxide (NH4OH) used in hair dyes.

SALTS
A SALT is formed when acid reacts with base. It is composed of a positively
charged ion (Cation) and negatively charged ion (Anion).

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 5 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

PROPERTIES OF SALTS

1. Salts are mostly crystalline solids.

2. Salts may be transparent or opaque.
3. Salts are soluble in water
4. Salts can conduct electricity
5. Salts may be salty, sour, sweet and bitter.
6. Salts can be colorless or colored.
7. Neutral Salts are odorless.

CLASSIFICATION OF SALTS

A. NORMAL SALTS
- The hydrogen ions of the acids are completely replaced by
metallic ions.

Examples:

• NaCl – Sodium Chloride

• CuSO4 – Copper Sulfate
• KNO3 – Potassium Nitrate
• CaCO3 – Calcium Carbonate

B. ACID SALTS
- The salt still has hydrogen atoms from an acid which can be
further replaced by metallic ions.

Examples:

• NaHSO4 – Sodium Bisulfate

• NAHCO3 – Sodium bicarbonate

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 6 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

C. BASIC SALT
- The salt contains hydrogen together with metallic ions and
negative ions from an acid.

Examples:

• ZnOHCl – Zinc Chloride

• MgCl2 – Magnesium Chloride

REAL LIFE EXAMPLE OF SALTS

• Soaps and Detergents
• Table salt (NaCl)
• Fertilizer like Ammonia

IDENTIFYING ACIDS AND BASES

A pH meter measures how acidic or basic a solution is. When we test a
substance with a pH meter, we get a number from 0–14. This is a pH scale, and it can
be used to compare substances. It is important to know that this scale is logarithmic.

• Acids have a pH below 7. The more H+ ions, the more acidic it is and the
lower the pH will be.
• Bases have a pH above 7.
• pH 7 is said to be neutral – this means it is WATER.
• pH value can be less than 0 for very strong acids.
• pH value that is greater than 14 for very strong bases.

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 7 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

Lesson 10.2 CALCULATING pH AND POH

CALCULATING PH
To calculate the pH of an aqueous solution you need to know the concentration of the
hydronium ion in moles per liter (molarity). The pH is then calculated using the expression:

pH = - log [H3O+].

Example:

1. Find the pH of a 0.0025 M HCl solution. The HCl is a strong acid and is 100%
ionized in water. The hydronium ion concentration is 0.0025 M.

Solution:

pH = - log (0.0025)
= - ( - 2.60)
= 2.60

CALCULATING pOH
To calculate the pOH of a solution you need to know the concentration of the
hydroxide ion in moles per liter (molarity). The pOH is then calculated using the
expression:

pOH = - log [OH-]

Example:

1. What is the pOH of a solution that has a hydroxide ion concentration of 4.82 x
10-5 M?

Solution:

pOH = - log [4.82 x 10-5]

= - ( - 4.32)
= 4.32

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 8 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Impig, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 4408
Website: www.cbsua.edu.ph
Email Address: cbsua.sipocot@cbsua.edu.ph
Trunkline: (054) 881-6681

POST COMPETENCY ACTIVITY

Identify the following substance if it is acid, base and salts.

1. Tamarind
2. Coffee
3. Table Salt
4. Vinegar
5. Dishwashing Detergent
6. Shampoo
7. Orange Juice
8. Baking Soda
9. Iodized Salt
10. Toothpaste

Solve the following problems about pH and pOH.

1. Find the pH of a 0.15 M HCl solution.

2. Calculate the pH of 0.84 M NaOH solution.

3. What is the pH of 24.5 M HNO3 solution?

4. Compute the pH of 8.19 M H2SO4 solution

5. Solve the pH of 0.0036 M Nitric Acid solution

6. What is the pOH of a sodium hydroxide solution with 2.13 x 10-3 M

7. Calculate the pOH of hydrochloric acid solution with 0.056 M.

8. Find the pOH of potassium hydroxide solution with 4.15 M.

9. Compute the pOH of calcium hydroxide solution with 3.60 M.

10. Solve for the pOH of calcium carbonate solution with 0.234 M.

CHEM 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

Page 9 of 9
A/Y 2023 - 2024