Acids, Bases, and Salts Notes

 Cation (positive ion)- formed when a metal loses electrons.

 Anion (negative ion)- when non-metal gains electrons
Acids
These are covalent compounds which can be either solid, liquid, or gases at room temperature.
All acid molecules contain hydrogen, however not all hydrogen-containing molecules are acid.
When acid is added to water, the molecules ‘ionize’ to form a positive hydrogen ion (H+) and
negative anions.
Examples of acids: hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), sulfuric acid (H2SO4),
phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
Examples of ionization: HCl(g) + water  H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
H2SO4(l) + water  2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
HNO3(l) + waterH+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
H3PO4(l)+water3H+(aq) + PO43-(aq)
Definitions of acids
There are two definitions of acids:
1. A substance that contains hydrogen which can be directly or indirectly replaced by a
metal to form a salt.
Zn(s) + 2HCl  ZnCl2 (aq) + H2(g)
2. An acid is a proton donor.

Physical Properties of Acids

The presence of H+ ions in an aqueous acid solution give acids the following characteristic
properties:
 They have sour taste.
 They are corrosive.
 They change blue litmus paper to red.
  They have a pH value of less than 7.
 They are electrolytes i.e., they conduct electricity.

Chemical Properties of Acids

When acids react with other substances the H+ ions of the acids are replaced by metal or
ammonium ions (NH4+) to form a salt. Acids can undergo the following reactions:

1. Reactive metal+ acid a salt + hydrogen gas (H2)

Balanced equation: Mg(s) + HCl(aq)  salt (magnesium chloride) + hydrogen gas (H2)
Mg + 2 HCl  MgCl2 + H2
Element Reactants Products
Mg 1 1
H 1 2
Cl 1 2

Mg(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl- (aq) Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)+H2(g)

Ionic equation: Mg(s) + 2H+(aq)  Mg2+(aq) + H2(g)

Fe + 2HNO3  Fe(NO3)2 + H2
Elements Reactants Products
Fe 1 1
H 1 2
NO3 1 2

Fe(s) +2 HCl(aq)FeCl2 (aq)+H2 (g)

2. Base + acid  a salt + water (H2O)

Balanced equation: 2 KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  K2SO4(aq) + 2 H2O(l)

2 KOH + H2SO4 K2SO4 + 2 H2O
Elements Reactants Products
K 1 2
O 1 1
H 3 2
SO4 1 1
 Ionic equation: OH-(aq) + H+(aq)  H2O(l)
Calcium chloride
Balanced equation: CaO(s) + 2HCl(aq)  CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
Ionic equation: CaO(s) + 2H+(aq)  Ca2+(aq) + H2O(l)

2 NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) Na2SO4 + 2 H2O

3. Metal carbonate + acid a salt+ carbon dioxide gas (CO2) + water (H2O)

Balanced equation: Na2CO3(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  Na2SO4 + CO2 + H2O

Ionic equation: CO32-(aq) + 2H+(aq)  CO2(g) + H2O(l)
MgCO3 + 2 HNO3 - Mg(NO3)2 + 2 CO2 + 2 H2O

4. Metal hydrogencarbonate + acid a salt+ carbon dioxide gas (CO2) + water (H2O)

Balanced equation: Zn(HCO3)2(aq) + 2HNO3(aq)  Zn(NO3)2(aq) + 2CO2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Ionic equation: HCO3-(aq) + H+(aq)  CO2(g) + H2O(l)
Mg(HCO3)2 + 2 HCl  MgCl2 + 2 CO2 +2 H2O

Practice equation
(a) Zn(s) + 2 HCl(aq) 
(b) MgCO3(aq) + H2SO4(aq)
(c) NaOH(aq) + HCl (aq) 
(d) ZnCO3 (aq) + H2SO4(aq) 
(e) Mg(OH)2 + 2 HCl (aq) 
Basicity of acids
HCl (hydrochloric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid), H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), CH3COOH (ethanoic acid)
The basicity of an acid is the number of H+ ions produced per molecule of acid when an acid
dissolves in water. Acids can be placed into the following different categories based on their
basicity:
Monobasic acids- produce one H+ ion per molecule.
E.g., HCl(aq)  H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) (hydrochloric acid)
HNO3(aq) H+(aq) + NO3-(aq) (nitric acid)
Dibasic acids- produce two H+ ions per molecule.
E.g., H2SO4(aq)  2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq) (sulfuric acid)
H2CO3(aq)  2H+(aq) + CO3 2-(aq) (carbonic acid)
Tribasic acids- produce three H+ ions per molecule.
E.g., H3PO4(aq)  3H+ (aq) + PO43-(aq) (phosphoric acid)

Acid anhydrides
An acid anhydride is a compound that reacts with water to form an acid. Many of them are acidic
oxides.
Examples are carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur trioxide (SO3) and nitrogen
dioxide (NO2)
CO2(g) + H2O(l) ⇌ H2CO3(aq) (carbonic acid)
SO2(g) + H2O(l) ⇌ H2SO3(aq) (sulfurous acid)
SO3(g) + H2O(l)  H2SO4(aq) (sulfuric acid)
2NO2(g) + H2O(l)  HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq) (nitrous acid and nitric acid)

Acids in Living Systems

Acids can be found naturally in living organisms and in everyday uses activities.
Acid Source Notes
Ascorbic Found in fruits and Vitamin Cis essential for a healthy diet. A shortage leads to
acid or vegetables such as scurvy.
vitamin C West Indian
(C6H8O6) cherries, citrus Vitamin C is oxidized and destroyed when exposed to heat
fruits, and raw green during cooking.
vegetables.
Sodium hydrogencarbonate can be added to fruits and
vegetables to improve their appearance and texture. This
neutralizes the Vitamin C in the food.
Citric acid Found in citrus Lime juice can be used to remove rust stains from clothing.
(C6H8O7) fruits such as limes The acid in the juice reacts with the iron(III) oxide. This
and lemons. makes a soluble compound which washed out the clothes
removing the rusty yellow Fe3+ ions.
Fe2O3(s) + 6H+(aq)  2Fe3+(aq) + 3H2O(l)
Methanoic Found in the venom Methanoic acid causes itching, swelling, redness and pain
acid of ants. around the sting.
(HCOOH)
 Ant stings can be treated by applying a paste of sodium
hydrogencarbonate or calamine lotion which contain zinc
oxide. Both compounds neutralize the acid.
Lactic acid Produced in the A buildup of too much lactic acid can cause a person to
(C3H6O3) cells of muscles collapse as it builds up in the muscles preventing acid from
during strenuous contracting.
activity.
Ethanoic Found in vinegar. Vinegar can be used to preserve food items. Its low pH
acid denatures (destroys) enzymes that cause decay and prevents
(CH3COOH) the growth or microorganisms i.e. bacteria and fungi.

Bases
Bases are opposite to acids. They are metal oxides and metal hydroxides.
Examples: aluminum oxide (Al2O3), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), zinc oxide (ZnO), copper (II)
oxide (CuO), Aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3), magnesium hydroxide (MgO), Iron(II) oxide
(FeO), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Calcium oxide (CaO)
Definition of base: a proton (H+) acceptor.
As bases react with acids, the O2- or OH- ions of the base accepts H+ ions (protons) from the acid
to form water.
For example, when an acid reacts with a base: OH-(aq) + H+(aq)  H2O(l)

Alkalis
Most bases are insoluble in water. An alkali is a base that is soluble in water. This is a base
which dissolves in water to form a solution containing OH- ions.
Examples of alkalis:
Potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2).
Calcium hydroxide is only slightly soluble in water.
NaOH(s) + water Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Ammonia gas (NH3), potassium oxide (K2O), sodium hydroxide (Na2O) and calcium oxide
(CaO).
NH3(g) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Physical properties of alkalis
 They have a bitter taste.
 They are corrosive.
  They feel soapy.
 They change red litmus to blue.
 They have a pH value greater than 7.
 They are electrolytes.
Chemical reactions of bases
1. Base + acid  a salt + water (H2O)
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq)NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
CaO (aq) + H2SO4(aq)  CaSO4 (s) + H2O (l)
Na2O (aq) +2 HNO3(aq)  2 NaNO3(aq) + H2O (l)
Elements Reactants Products
Na 2 1
O 1 1
H 1 2
NO3 1 1

2. Base + ammonium salt  a salt + ammonia gas (NH3) + water (H2O)

Mg(OH)2(s) + 2 NH4Cl(s)  MgCl2 (aq) + 2 NH3(g) + 2 H2O(l)
CaO(s) + (NH4)2SO4(s) CaSO4(s)+ H2O(l)+2 NH3(g)
ZnO(s) + 2 NH4NO3(aq)  Zn(NO3)2(aq) +2NH3(g)+H2O(l)
Element Reactant Product
Zn 1 1
O 1 1
N 1 1
H 4 5
NO3 1 2

Classification of oxides
There are four different ways that oxides can be classified:
 Acidic oxides- these are oxides of some non-metals which react with alkalis to form a
salt and water. Examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur
trioxide (SO3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). Most acidic oxides can
react with water form an acid. Therefore, they are acid anhydrides.
2NaOH(aq) + CO2(g)  Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
 Basic oxides- these are oxides of metals that react with acids to form salt and water.
Examples include magnesium oxide(MgO), iron(III) oxide, (Fe2O3) and copper(II) oxide (CuO).
MgO(s) + H2SO4(aq)  MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
Some metal oxides such as potassium oxide (K2O), sodium oxide (Na2O) and calcium oxide
(CaO) are basic oxides which are classified as alkalis as they react with water to form a solution
containing OH- ions.
Na2O(s) + H2O(l)  2NaOH(aq)

 Amphoteric oxides- are oxides of some metals which react with both acids and strong
alkalis to form salt and water.
Examples include aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO) and lead(II) oxide (PbO).
 Neutral oxides- these are oxides of some non-metals which do not react with acids or
alkalis.
Examples include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO) and dinitrogen monoxide
(N2O).

Amphoteric oxides and hydroxides

An amphoteric oxide and hydroxide can react with both acids and alkalis to form a salt and water.

Amphoteric oxide or hydroxide+ acid a salt + water

Zn(OH)2(s)+ 2 HCl(aq)  ZnCl2(aq) + 2 H2O(l

Amphoteric oxide or hydroxide + strong alkali  a salt + water

Zn(OH)2(s) + NaOH(aq)  Na2ZnO2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

The oxides and hydroxide of aluminum, zinc and lead are amphoteric. Examples: aluminum hydroxide,
aluminum oxide, zinc hydroxide, zinc oxide, lead hydroxide and lead oxide.

Amphoteric oxide Amphoteric hydroxide Salt formed when Anion present in the
reacting with a strong salt
alkali
Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) Aluminum hydroxide aluminates AlO2-
(Al(OH)3)
Zinc oxide (ZnO) Zinc hydroxide zincates ZnO22-
(Zn(OH)2)
Lead(II) (PbO) Lead hydroxide plumbates PbO22-
(Pb(OH)2)
Table 1. Common ionic compounds that are soluble in water
Compounds Solubility in water Exceptions
Potassium, sodium, and Soluble None.
ammonium compounds
Nitrates Soluble None.
Chlorides Soluble Silver chloride (AgCl) is
insoluble.
Lead(II) chloride (PbCl2) is
insoluble in cold water but
moderately soluble in hot
water.
Sulfates Soluble Lead(II) sulfate (PbSO4) and
barium sulfate (BaSO4) are
insoluble.
Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) is
slightly soluble.
Ethanoates Soluble None.
Hydrogencarbonates Soluble None.

Table 2. Common ionic compounds which are insoluble in water

Compounds Solubility in water Exceptions
Carbonates Insoluble Potassium carbonate
(K2CO3), sodium carbonate
(Na2CO3) and ammonium
carbonate ((NH4)2CO3) are
soluble in water.
Phosphates Insoluble Potassium phosphate
(K3PO4), sodium phosphate
(Na3PO4) and ammonium
phosphate ((NH4)3PO4) are
soluble in water.
Hydroxides Insoluble Potassium hydroxide (KOH),
sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
and ammonium hydroxide
(NH4OH) are soluble.

Calcium hydroxide
(Ca(OH)2) is slightly soluble.
Metal oxides Insoluble Potassium oxide (K2O),
sodium oxide (Na2O) and
calcium oxide (CaO) react
with water to form soluble
hydroxides.
 Measuring pH of solutions
The pH Scale
This is a scale of numbers from 0 to 14. It is used to show how acidic or alkaline a solution is.

Indicators
Indicators are one color in an acid and another in a base. They can be used to distinguish acids
and alkalis in aqueous solution.
Indicator Color in acids Color in alkali
Litmus Red Blue
Methyl orange Red Yellow
Screened methyl orange Red Green
Phenolphthalein Colorless Pink
Using a universal indicator
A universal indicator is a mixture of colored compounds that shows a range of colors depending
on the pH of the substance. The universal indicator works by dipping it into a solution and then
the color of the indicator is matched with a color chart showing the pH corresponding to different
colors.

Using a pH meter
This is a pH electrode that is connected to a pH meter that can measure the pH of a solution
directly. A pH meter is more accurate than a universal indicator.

Concentrated or dilute
A concentrated acid solution contains more particles of acid per dm3 than a dilute solution. It
does not speak to how strong or weak the acid is.
A concentrated alkali solution contains more particles of alkali per dm3 than a dilute solution. It
does not speak to how strong or weak the alkali is.
The strength of acids and alkali

Acids

Strong acid: fully ionized when dissolved in water.

HCl(aq)  H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Weak acid: partially ionized when dissolved in water.

CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ CH3COO-(aq) + H+(aq)

Alkali

Strong alkali- fully ionized when dissolved in water.

NaOH(aq)Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

Weak alkali- partially ionized when dissolved in water.

NH3(g) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

 Salts
A salt is defined as a compound which is formed when some or all the hydrogen ions in an acid
is replaced by metal or ammonium ions. Salts contain one metal or ammonium cation and one
anion from the acid.
The metals or ammonium ions can come from a metal, base, carbonate, or hydrogen carbonate.
HCl (aq) + NaOH(aq)  NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Classification of salts
Salts can be classified into two groups:
(i) Normal salts- all the H+ ions in an acid are replaced by metal or ammonium ions.
2 KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
Normal salt

(ii) Acid salts- the H+ ions in an acid are only partially replaced by metal or ammonium
ions. Only dibasic ( have 2 hydrogens) and tribasic (have 3 hydrogens) acids can form
acid salts.
KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq)  KHSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
Acid salt

Salts formed by common acids.

Acid Salts formed Anion Type of Name of sodium Formula
present salt (Na+) salt
Hydrochloric Chlorides Cl- Normal sodium chloride NaCl
acid (HCl)
Nitric acid Normal
(HNO3)
Ethanoic acid Normal
(CH3COOH)
Sulfuric acid normal
(H2SO4)
acid
Carbonic normal
acid (H2CO3)
acid
Phosphoric Normal
acid (H3PO4)
Acid

Acid
Water of crystallization
This is a fixed proportion of water molecules which is held within their crystal lattice. Salts
which contain water of crystallization are said to be hydrated and the water of crystallization is
shown in the formula.
An example is hydrated copper(II) sulfate CuSO4.5H2O
Water in the molecules is responsible for the shape and sometimes the color of the crystals. The
water of crystallization can be removed by heating causing the salt to become anhydrous. This
causes if to lose its crystalline structure and color.
CuSO4.5H2O(s)  CuSO4(s) + 5H2O(l)
Blue crystals-hydrated white powder-anhydrous

Salt Solubility Rules

(aq), (s), (l), (g)- states of matter aq- aqueous, s- solid, l-liquid, g -gas
Salt can either be soluble or insoluble in water.
When two solutions are mixed and a solid is obtained, the reaction is a precipitation reaction.
The solid obtained is a precipitate.
The solubility of salts is extremely important to determine the method by which certain salts can
be made.
Table 1. Common ionic compounds that are soluble in water
Compounds Solubility in water Exceptions
Potassium, sodium, and Soluble None.
ammonium compounds
Nitrates Soluble None.
Chlorides Soluble Silver chloride (AgCl) is
 insoluble.
Lead(II) chloride (PbCl2) is
insoluble in cold water but
moderately soluble in hot
water.
Sulfates Soluble Lead(II) sulfate (PbSO4) and
barium sulfate (BaSO4) are
insoluble.
Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) is
slightly soluble.
Ethanoates Soluble None.
Hydrogencarbonates Soluble None.

Table 2. Common ionic compounds which are insoluble in water

Compounds Solubility in water Exceptions
Carbonates Insoluble Potassium carbonate (K2CO3),
sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and
ammonium carbonate
(NH4)2CO3) are soluble in
water.
Phosphates Insoluble Potassium phosphate (K3PO4),
sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) and
ammonium phosphate
((NH4)3PO4) are soluble in
water.
Hydroxides Insoluble Potassium hydroxide (KOH),
sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and
ammonium hydroxide
(NH4OH) are soluble.

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)

is slightly soluble.
Metal oxides Insoluble Potassium oxide (K2O), sodium
oxide (Na2O) and calcium oxide
(CaO) react with water to form
soluble hydroxides.

Solubility Rules
Soluble compounds Insoluble compounds
All salts of Group I elements
All nitrates and ammonium salts
Most chlorides, bromides, and iodides Chlorides, bromides and iodides of silver and
lead
 Most sulfates Sulfates of calcium, barium, and lead
Group I hydroxide and carbonates Most hydroxides and carbonates
Group I and II oxides react with water Most metal oxides

Salt Preparation Methods

When considering a method by which a salt can be prepared, answer the following questions:
 What is the solubility of the salt being prepared?
 What is the solubility of the reactant being used to prepare the salt?
 What is the hydration of the salt being prepared?

TABLE SHOWING THE METHODS USED TO PREPARE SALTS

Method of Salts Reactants Method Example Reactants
Preparation Prepared Used and
equation for
the example
Ionic Insoluble Two soluble Dissolve each PbSO4 Pb(NO3)2 +
precipitation salts salts: salt in distilled Na2SO4 
One to water to make PbSO4 (s) +
 supply the two solutions. 2NaNO3(aq)
cations and
one to Mix the
supply the solutions to
anions form a
precipitate.

Filter to
separate the
precipitate.

Wash the
precipitate
(residue) with
distilled water.

Dry the
residue.
Direct Anhydrous A suitable Heat the metal AlCl3 2Al(s) +
Combination chlorides metal to in a stream of 3Cl2(g) 
supply the chlorine gas in 2AlCl3(s)
cations. a fume
Chlorine gas cupboard.
to supply Cl-
ions.
Reactive metal Soluble salts A suitable Add the metal ZnCl2 Zn(s) + 2HCl
with an acid of the metal to to the acid and (aq)  ZnCl2
following supply the warm if (aq) + H2 (g)
reactive cations. A necessary.
metals: suitable acid Keep adding
magnesium, to supply until
aluminum, anions. effervescence
zinc, and iron (bubbling)
stops and the
metal is
present in
excess.

Dip a piece of
blue litmus
paper into the
solution; it
should remain
blue.

Filter to
 remove the
excess metal,
collect the
filtrate.

Evaporate the
water or
evaporate
some water
and leave to
crystallize.
(see below)
Insoluble base Soluble salts A suitable Add the base MgSO4 MgO (s) +
with an acid except insoluble to the acid and H2SO4 
potassium, base to warm if MgSO4 (aq) +
sodium, and supply the necessary. H2O(l)
ammonium cations. Keep adding
salts A suitable until Or
acid to effervescence
supply the (bubbling) Mg(OH)2 (s) +
anions. stops and the H2SO4 
base is present MgSO4 (aq) +
in excess. 2H2O(l)

Dip a piece of
blue litmus
paper into the
solution; it
should remain
blue.

Filter to
remove the
excess base,
collect the
filtrate.

Evaporate the
water, or
evaporate
some water
and leave to
crystallize
Insoluble Soluble salts A suitable Add the Cu(NO3)2 CuCO3 (s) +
carbonate with except insoluble carbonate to 2HNO3 (aq) 
an acid potassium, carbonate to the acid and Cu(NO3)2 (aq)
 sodium, and supply the warm if + CO2 (g) +
ammonium cations. necessary. H2O (l)
salts. A suitable Keep adding
acid to until
supply the effervescence
anions. (bubbling)
stops and the
carbonate is
present in
excess.

Dip a piece of
blue litmus
paper into the
solution; it
should remain
blue.

Filter to
remove the
excess metal,
collect the
filtrate.

Evaporate the
water, or
evaporate
some water
and leave to
crystallize
Titration Potassium, Two Place the acid K2SO4 2KOH(aq) +
sodium, and solutions: in the burette H2SO4 (aq) 
ammonium An alkali or and find the K2SO4 (aq) + 2
salts carbonate volume needed H2O (l)
solution to to neutralize a
supply K+ , fixed volume
Na+ and of alkali or
NH4+ ions. carbonate KHSO4
A suitable solution, KOH(aq) +
acid to measured in a H2SO4 (aq) 
supply the pipette by KHSO4 (aq) +
anions performing a H2O (l)
titration using
a suitable
indicator.
 Add the
volume of acid
found above to
the fixed
volume of
alkali or
carbonate
solution
without adding
the indicator to
make a normal
salt.

Evaporate the
water or
evaporate
some water
and leave to
crystallize.

Crystallization
This is used to separate and retain the solid solute from the liquid solvent in a solution. It
is useful if the solute decomposes on heating or if a solid containing water of
crystallization is required.
 Uses of Salts in Everyday Life
Salt Use Notes
Sodium A component of baking powder Baking powder also contained a
hydrogencarbonate used to make cakes rise. weak acid and when mixed with the
(NaHCO3) liquid in the cake mixture, the two
active components react and form
carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide forms bubbles in the
cake. The bubbles cause the cake to
ride as they expand on heating.
Sodium benzoate To preserve food Used to preserve foods which have a
(C6H5COONa) lower pH, eg fruit juices and fizzy
drinks. At a low pH it is converted to
benzoic acid which prevents the
growth of microrganisms.
Sodium Chloride To preserve food Used to preserve food such as meat
NaCl and fish.
Sodium nitrate To preserve food Used to preserve meat, eg bacon and
 (NaNO3) ham. They destroy bacterial which
Sodium nitrite cause food poisoning, slow oxidation
(NaNO2) of fats and oils which causes
rancidity, give an attractive red
colour to the meat and add flavour.
They are often used together with
sodium chloride.
Calcium carbonate To manufacture cement used in When heated in a kiln, it decomposes
(limestone) the construction industry. to form calcium oxide.
(CaCO3) CaCO3(s)  CaO(s) + CO2 (g)
Calcium oxide is blended with the
other materials in the kiln to form
clinker which is then ground with
calcium sulfate to make cement
Calcium sulfate To manufacture plaster of Paris Plaster of Paris is made of anhydrous
(gypsum) used as a building material and calcium sulfate. When water is
(CaSO4.2H2O) for setting broken bones. added, heat is given off and a paste
forms. The paste is used to coat walls
and ceilings, and bandages
impregnated in it are used to make
orthopaedic casts.
Magnesium sulfate For various medicinal purposes Has numerous health benefits. Added
(Epsom Salt) to bath water it relieves stress, eases
(MgSO4.7H2O) aches, and pains, reduces
inflammation and halt cure skin
In agriculture problems. Taken orally it works as a
laxative.
Improves plant growth.

Table Showing Dangers of Salts

Salt Dangers of the Salt
Sodium benzoate May increase the risk of developing cancer.
(C6H5COONa) May increase hyperactivity and asthma in children.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) Can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure) if consumed in
excess.
Sodium nitrate May increase the risk of developing cancer.
And Sodium nitrite May cause brain damage in infants