TOPIC 1

CHEMICAL REACTIONS

Learning Objectives
 Students will learn to list the physical and chemical properties of
acids and predict the various types of acids.
 Students will learn to detect the formation of hydrogen and carbon
dioxide gas on reaction with reactive metals and bicarbonate/
carbonate salts.
Learning Outcomes
 Students will be able to classify the acids based on the source and
the degree of dissociation.
 Students will be able to differentiate between strong and weak acids
as well as mineral and organic acids.
 Students will be able to test hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas.

Real Life Application

MIt is quite usual that you see a lot of people wearing jewellery in
weddings or on any other ceremonies. Items such as rings, necklaces,
earrings etc., are worn for personal adornment. These can be made from
a wide range of materials such as amber, precious metals, beads, shells
etc.
One of the most common metal jewellery that people generally buy is
gold. In countries like India, it is believed that gold wishes luck upon the
couple so they will have a good marriage. Have you ever thought why
this metal is so pure and shiny? It is because this metal is chemically
purified and refined by using strong acids such as nitric acid and
hydrochloric acid. The gold is allowed to sit in the nitric acid for about 30-
40 minutes and dissolved using HCl. The impurities thus gets separated
when gold is added to the solution containing these acids.

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Apart from decorative purposes, gold also plays a critical role in
supporting societies’ needs and is recognized as a source of financial
security. This is one such example of acids that play an important role in
our daily life. Let us learn more about the acids in this topic.
On the basis of their chemical properties, all the chemical compounds
can be classified into:
(1) Acids
(2) Bases
(3) Salts
In this chapter, we will be studying about the various properties of acids,
bases and salts, synthetic, natural and olfactory indicators, behaviour
of acids and bases in solutions, strength of acids and bases, pH of
acids, bases and salts and universal indicator, the importance of pH in
everyday life, family of salts, chemicals obtained from common salt,
their manufacture, properties and uses, and water of crystallization.
Acids are those chemical substances which have a sour taste and
change the colour of blue litmus to red.
Classification of Acids
(A) Based on the source, acids can be classified as mineral acids and
organic acids.
Mineral Acids
The acids prepared from the minerals of the Earth are called mineral
acids. They are man-made acids.

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Examples: Hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid etc.
Organic Acids
The acids present in plant materials and animals are called organic
acids or naturally occurring acids.
Few examples of naturally occurring acids along with their sources are
given below:
Name of Acid Source
Lactic acid Curd
Methanoic acid Insect sting
Oxalic acid Tomato
Tartaric acid Tamarind
Citric acid Citrus fruits such as lemon, oranges, etc.
Acetic acid Vinegar
(B) Based on the degree of dissociation in water, acids can be classified
as strong acids and weak acids.
Strong Acids
Acids that give rise to more H+ ions in water are said to be strong acids.
In other words, strong acids dissociate completely into hydrogen ions in
water.
Examples: Hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid.
Weak Acids
Acids which are partially ionized in water and give less H+ ions in water
are said to be weak acids. In other words, their degree of dissociation
into hydrogen ions in water is not much.
Examples: Acetic acid, carbonic acid.
Properties of Acids
Physical Properties
(1) Acids have a sour taste.
(2) Acids are soluble in water.
(3) Acids turn blue litmus red.
(4) Acid solutions conduct electricity.

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 Caution
 Students should remember that not all acids show same level of electrical
conductivity. The ability of acid solutions to conduct electricity is described by the
phrases strong and weak. It's a strong acid if the acid conducts electricity well. It
is a weak acid if it conducts electricity weakly.
Chemical Properties
(1) Reaction with metals : Acids react with metals to form hydrogen
gas. When a metal reacts with an acid, it displaces hydrogen from
the acids. The metal combines with the remaining part of the acid
and forms a compound called a salt.
Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas
H2SO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + H2↑
Example 1. Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in
brass and copper vessels?  (Understand) [NCERT]
Total Breakdown
Marks (As per CBSE Marking Scheme)
Write the nature of substances. (1m)
2 Explain how the nature affects storage of the substances in copper
and brass vessels. (1m)
Ans. Curd is basically lactic acid. Similarly, sour substances also contain
acids. We know that acids react with metals to form salt and
hydrogen.
Metal + Acid ——→ Salt + Hydrogen gas
Therefore, if curd and sour substances are stored in brass and
copper vessels, the acid will react with the metal and may produce
some salts which are poisonous and hence unfit for human
consumption.
(2) Reaction with metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates:
Acids react with metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates
to form carbon dioxide gas.
Metal carbonate/hydrogen carbonate + Acid →Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water
Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(I) + CO2(g)
NaHCO3(s) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Important
 Chemical reactions involve breaking of old bonds and formation of new bonds.

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 l
l
l

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 OBJECTIVE Type Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

[ 1 mark each ]
1. Identify gas A in the following experiment.

Bubbles

Soap solution

(a) Nitrogen (b) Hydrogen

(c) Oxygen (d) Carbon dioxide
[CBSE Term-1 SQP 2021]
Ans. (b) Hydrogen [CBSE Marking Scheme Term-1 SQP 2021]
Explanation: Hydrogen gas is evolved when dilute sulphuric acid is
added to zinc granules. The type of reaction taking place is single
displacement reaction.
Zn(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)↑
2. Study the following table and choose the correct option:
Salt Parent Acid Parent Nature of
Base Salt
(a) Sodium HCl NaOH Basic
Chloride
(b) Sodium H2CO3 NaOH Neutral
Carbonate
(c) Sodium H2SO4 NaOH Acidic
Sulphate
(d) Sodium CH3COOH NaOH Basic
Acetate
[CBSE Term-1 2021]

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Ans. (d) Salt: Sodium Acetate; Parent Acid: CH3COOH; Parent Base:
NaOH; Nature of salt: Basic
Explanation: CH3COOH is a weak acid, NaOH is a strong base and
the salts of weak acids and strong bases give basic solutions. So,
sodium acetate is basic in nature.
CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O
Sodium acetate

Related Theory
 HCl and NaOH are strong acid and strong base respectively. The salts of
strong acids and strong bases give neutral solutions. So, sodium chloride is
neutral in nature.
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
Sodium
chloride
 H2CO3 is a weak acid, NaOH is a strong base and the salts of weak acids and
strong bases give basic solution. So, sodium carbonate is basic in nature.
H2CO3 + 2NaOH → Na2CO3 + 2H2O
Sodium
carbonate
 Both H2SO4 and NaOH are strong acid and strong base respectively. So,
Na2SO4 is a neutral salt.
H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
Sodium
sulphate

Assertion-Reason
[A-R] [ 1 mark each ]

In the following questions, two statements in the form of an

Assertion (A) and a Reason (R) have been put forward. Read both
statements carefully and choose the most appropriate option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of
(A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation
of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) are true.

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 3. Assertion (A): 
Generally, the colour of indicators changes in
particular pH range.
Reason (R): Indicators are weak acids or weak bases and
exhibit different colours in molecular form and
ionic form.
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and R is the correct explanation of (A).
Explanation: Since indicators are weak acids or weak bases, their
percentage of existence in molecular state and in ionized state
depends on the strength of acidic/basic/neutral solution to which
they are added. Hence their colours change at a particular pH
range.

CASE BASED Questions (CBQs)

[ 5 marks each ]

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:
4. Baking powder is used in cooking to make the cake spongy, crispy
pakoda. Although, baking soda also produces CO2 on heating,
but it is not directly used in cooking because it makes the taste
slightly bitter. Generally mild edible acid is mixed with baking
soda to make baking powder. When baking powder is heated
NaHCO3 decomposes to give CO2 which makes bread and cake
soft and spongy. Mild edible acid help to remove bitter taste due
to formation of sodium tartrate.
2NaHCO3 + mild edible acid → Na2C4H4O6 Sodium Salt of acid

+H2O +CO2
[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]
(A) Sodium hydrogen carbonate is produced using:
(a) sodium chloride (b) ammonia
(c) carbon dioxide (d) all of these.
(B) The gas released during heating of Sodium hydrogen
carbonate is:
(a) carbon dioxide (b) hydrogen
(c) carbon monoxide (d) both (a) and (b).

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 (C) The edible acid added to the Sodium hydrogen carbonate
to make baking powder is:
(a) Tartaric acid (b) Dilute hydrochloric acid
(c) Formic acid (d) Any of these.
(D) The nature of Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is:
(a) basic (b) highly acidic
(c) neutral (d) slightly acidic.
(E) Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used to prepare cake
because:
(a) it makes the cake tasty
(b) it make the cake sweet
(c) it make the cake colorful
(d) it makes the cake soft and spongy.
Ans. (A) (d) all of these
Explanation: The chemical or molecular formula of Sodium
hydrogen carbonate is NaHCO3. It is produced by reacting
sodium chloride with ammonia, water, and carbon dioxide and
ammonium chloride salt.
(B) (a) carbon dioxide
Explanation: Sodium carbonate and water are formed along
with the evolution of carbon dioxide gas.
(C) (a) Tartaric acid
Explanation: If tartaric acid is not added to the baking powder,
the taste of food will be bitter due to the presence of sodium
carbonate.
(D) (a) basic
Explanation: Sodium hydrogen carbonate is a weak base
having a pH 8.3
(E) (d) it makes the cake soft and spongy.
Explanation: Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used to prepare
cakes and pastries as it gets decomposed on heating and
produce CO2 bubbles. Thus, making the cakes and pastries soft
and spongy.

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 VERY SHORT ANSWER Type Questions (VSA)
[ 1 mark each ]

5. Name an indicator solution which shows different colours at

different concentration of ions in the solution.
The pH scale
Acidic Alkaline

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Neutral [Diksha]
Ans. The indicator solution which shows different colours at different
concentration of ions in the solution is universal indicator. Universal
indicater is a mixture of many different indicators which gives
different colours at different pH values of entire pH scale.

SHORT ANSWER Type-I Questions (SA-I)

[ 2 marks each ]

6. A student prepared solutions of (I) an acid and (II) a base in

two separate beakers. She forgot to label the solutions and
litmus paper is not available in the laboratory. Since, both the
solutions are colourless, how will she distinguish between the
two? [CBSE 2017]
Ans. In the absence of litmus paper, other natural or synthetic
substances can be used to test acid and bases. Such substances
are called indicators. Indicators such as methyl orange and
phenolphthalein can be used to test the nature of a solution.
These indicators show change in their colour in acidic, neutral and
basic solutions. We can also use natural indicators such as turmeric
and grape juice.

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 Related Theory
 A few indicators with characteristic colour change are shown alongside:
pH Colour in Colour in Colour in Basic
Indicator Acidic Medium Neutral Medium Medium
Litmus Red Purple Blue
Phenol red Yellow Red Red
Phenol-phthalein Colourless Colourless Pink
Methyl orange Red/Pink Orange Yellow
Turmeric Yellow Yellow Reddish brown
Red cabbage juice Red Purple Bluish green

SHORT ANSWER Type-II Questions (SA-II)

[ 3 marks each ]
7. What will you do if:
(A) Your mother has acute problem of acidity and feeling
unwell
(B) a wasp bites your friends
(C) the soil in your farm is acidic and plants do not grow well?
Ans. (A) Give milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) which is an
antacid which is basic in nature and it will react with excess
acid in the stomach which has caused uneasiness. The antacid
will neutralise the excess acid and mother will feel good. If
antacid is not available, baking soda solution or Eno can be
given.
(B) Apply a paste of baking soda and water at the stung area.
After some time, your friend will be relieved of pain. Wasps
release methanoic acid into the skin, when they bite. Baking
soda paste is basic in nature and it will neutralise the effect of
wasp’s sting which is acidic.
(C) If the soil of farm is acidic, apply calcium oxide or calcium
hydroxide which are basic in nature and they will neutralise
the excess acid in the soil and plants will start growing good.

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 TOPPER’S CORNER
LONG ANSWER Type Questions (LA)
[ 4 & 5 marks each ]

1. A white powder is added while baking cakes to make it soft

and spongy. Name its main ingredients. Explain the function of
each ingredient. Write the chemical reaction taking place when
the powder is heated during baking.
Ans.

[CBSE Topper
2019]

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