GROUP WORK

CHEMISTRY
PRESENTATION
UNDERSTANDING ACIDS
Group Members: Aahan, Axata, Nirbecca, Raghav,
Sarhana, Unnav
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION STRENGTH
01. Overview of acids and their
02. Differentiating strong and
significance. weak acids.

TYPES CHARACTERSTICS-I
Distinguishing organic and Discussing taste, reactivity with metals
03. inorganic acids.
04. carbonates, and physical states.

CHARACTERSTICS-II APPLICATIONS
05. Covering conductivity, 06. Exploring indicators and
neutralization, and color changes. various uses of acids.
 01.
INTRODUCTION
An overview of what acids are, their historical context,
and their importance in daily life.
 INTRODUCTION
Acids are fundamental substances in chemistry characterized by their
ability to donate protons (hydrogen ions, H⁺) in aqueous solutions.
They are widely recognized for their sour taste and ability to turn litmus
paper red. Acids are integral to many chemical reactions, including
neutralization reactions where they react with bases to form salts and
water.

Acids can be categorized based on their strength: strong acids, which

completely dissociate into ions when dissolved in water, and weak
acids, which only partially dissociate. Examples of common acids
include hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), acetic acid
(CH₃COOH), and citric acid (found in citrus fruits).

Beyond their chemical properties, acids play significant roles in various

fields. They are crucial in industrial processes such as metal refining,
food preservation, and pharmaceutical production. In nature, acids
contribute to processes like digestion and the regulation of pH in
biological systems. Understanding acids is foundational to
understanding many aspects of chemistry and its applications in
everyday life.
 02.
ACID STRENGTHS
A study of the differences between strong and weak acids, including
their definitions, examples, and how they dissociate in water.
 STRONG VS WEAK ACIDS
The main differences between strong and weak acids lie in their
dissociation behavior in water. Strong acids completely dissociate into
ions in water, while weak acids only partially dissociate. This means
strong acids have higher conductivity, lower pH, and stronger corrosive
properties compared to weak acids. Examples of strong acids include
hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), while acetic acid is
a common weak acid.
 03.
ACID TYPES
A discussion on the differences between organic and inorganic acids,
with examples of each and where these types of acids are commonly
found or used.
 ORGANIC VS INORGANIC ACIDS
Organic acids are compounds characterized by the presence of carboxyl groups
linked to hydrocarbon chains. They are commonly found in living organisms and play
fundamental roles in metabolic processes. These acids can be categorized into
monocarboxylic acids, which possess one carboxyl group, and dicarboxylic acids,
which have two.

They are sourced from natural origins such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products,
and find applications in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and
agriculture. Chemically, they are classified as weak acids, undergoing partial
ionization in water, a process influenced by factors like concentration and pH levels.

Biologically, they are indispensable for activities such as energy metabolism,

biosynthesis, and the maintenance of cellular pH balance. Noteworthy dicarboxylic
acids, like oxalic and succinic acid, contribute significantly to biochemical pathways
and organic chemistry.

Their production methods involve fermentation, chemical synthesis, or extraction

from natural sources. In summary, organic acids constitute a diverse group with
pivotal roles in various domains including nature, industry, and biological systems,
thus attracting considerable attention across scientific disciplines.
 ORGANIC VS INORGANIC ACIDS
Examples of organic acids include:

1. Acetic acid: Found in vinegar, acetic acid is commonly used as a food preservative
and flavoring agent. It's also used in the production of various chemicals and
solvents.

2. Citric acid: Abundant in citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes, citric acid is
widely used in the food and beverage industry as a flavor enhancer, acidulant, and
preservative.

3. Lactic acid: Produced during fermentation processes, lactic acid is found in dairy
products such as yoghourt, cheese, and sour milk. It's also used in the food industry
for flavoring and preservation.

4. Tartaric acid: Naturally occurring in grapes, tartaric acid is used in winemaking to

adjust acidity and stabilize the color and flavor of wines. It's also utilized in baking
powder and certain soft drinks.
 ORGANIC VS INORGANIC ACIDS
Inorganic acids are compounds devoid of carbon-hydrogen bonds in their molecular
makeup. Instead, they typically consist of hydrogen combined with non-metallic
elements like Sulphur, phosphorus, or halogens such as chlorine or fluorine. Widely
utilized across industries, these acids possess the ability to release hydrogen ions
(H⁺) when dissolved in water, rendering them acidic and capable of neutralizing
bases to form salts and water.

Inorganic acids are divided into two types: strong and weak, depending on how much
they break apart in water. Strong ones, like hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid,
completely break apart, while weak ones, such as phosphoric acid and carbonic acid,
only partially break apart. These acids are used in important industries. For example,
sulfuric acid helps make fertilizers, batteries, and detergents, while hydrochloric acid
is used for cleaning metals and processing ores.

Because they can cause damage and are dangerous, it's crucial to be very careful
when working with these acids. This means wearing protective clothing and making
sure there's enough fresh air. Also, because they can harm the environment, it's
important to control how they're used and disposed of. By reducing pollution and
managing waste properly, we can lessen their impact on the environment.
 ORGANIC VS INORGANIC ACIDS
Examples of inorganic acids include:

1. Hydrochloric acid (HCl): Found in gastric acid in the stomach, hydrochloric acid is
also widely used in industrial processes such as metal cleaning, ore processing, and
chemical synthesis.

2. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4): One of the most widely used industrial chemicals, sulfuric
acid is essential in the production of fertilizers, batteries, detergents, and various
chemical processes.

3. Nitric acid (HNO3): Important in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, and

specialty chemicals, nitric acid also finds use in metal etching and cleaning
processes.

4. Phosphoric acid (H3PO4): Used in the production of fertilizers, detergents, and

food additives, phosphoric acid is also employed in rust removal and metal surface
treatment.
 04.
ACID CHARACTERSTICS- I
An exploration of the general properties of acids, such as their taste, reactivity with
metals, and their physical states.
 CHARACTERSTICS-I
Taste and Edibility: Acids are generally characterized by a sour taste. However, not all
acids are sour, such as stearic acid, boric acid, and salicylic acid. There are also edible acids
found in everyday food and drinks. For instance, lemons contain citric acid, grapes have
tartaric acid and Coca-Cola has carbonic acid. It’s important to note that while these acids
are safe to consume, tasting mineral acids can be dangerous due to their corrosive nature.

Corrosiveness: Strong acids are corrosive, which means they can eat away or damage
materials they come into contact with, including skin, metal, and wood. This property
makes them hazardous to handle without proper safety measures.

Reaction with Indicators: Acids have the ability to change the color of certain substances
known as indicators. These indicators help determine whether a solution is acidic or
alkaline. For example, acids turn blue litmus paper to red, light yellow methyl orange to
red, and colorless phenolphthalein to red.

Reaction with Metals: Acids react with metals to form a salt and release hydrogen gas.
This is represented by the balanced chemical equations:
 CHARACTERSTICS-I
Magnesium and Sulfurous acid:
Mg+H2​SO3​→MgSO3​+H2​

In this reaction, magnesium (Mg) reacts with sulfurous acid (H2SO3) to form magnesium
sulfite (MgSO3) and release hydrogen gas (H2).

Zinc and Sulfuric acid:

Zn+H2​SO4​→ZnSO4​+H2​

Here, zinc (Zn) reacts with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to form zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and release
hydrogen gas (H2).

Zinc and Hydrochloric acid:

Zn+2HCl→ZnCl2​+H2​

In this case, zinc (Zn) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and
release hydrogen gas (H2).
 05.
ACID CHARACTERSTICS- II
A continuation from the previous section, focusing on more complex characteristics
and reactions of acids, such as neutralization reactions with bases.
 CHARACTERSTICS-II
Acids showcase unique characteristics that involve their interaction with
diverse substances.

Specifically, when acids encounter carbonates and bicarbonates, the

result is the generation of carbon dioxide, salt, and water.

In interactions with bases, acids display a comparable chemical

reaction, producing water and salt as the ensuing products. This
distinctive reactivity exemplifies the versatile nature of acids in different
chemical contexts.

Moreover, the dissolution of acids in water triggers the release of

hydrogen ions, contributing significantly to their ionization behavior. This
phenomenon further elucidates the dynamic and intricate chemical
processes associated with acidic solutions.

Furthermore, the ability of acids to conduct electricity in aqueous

solutions adds yet another layer to their diverse chemical properties.
This characteristic not only underscores their versatile nature but also
highlights their significance in various scientific and practical
applications.
 06.
ACID APPLICATIONS
A look at how indicators are used to determine the acidity of a solution,
along with the various uses of acids in everyday life.
 INDICATORS & APPLICATIONS

Indicators are chemicals that change color based on the acidity or

alkalinity (pH) of a solution. Common examples include litmus
paper, turning red in acid and blue in base, and universal indicator,
displaying a spectrum of colors across the pH range. They are
crucial in titrations, signaling the endpoint of an acid-base reaction
when the color shift occurs.

Acids, characterized by a sour taste and the ability to donate

hydrogen ions (H+), have diverse applications. In industries, they
are used in metal processing, food production, and fertilizer
manufacturing. Household uses include cleaning (vinegar, citric
acid), batteries (sulfuric acid), and food preservation (citric acid).
However, it's essential to handle acids with caution due to their
corrosive nature.
 QUESTIONS!
Give an example of where acids are used in our daily
life?

What is the main difference between a strong acid and

a weak acid?

Name an organic acid and an inorganic acid.

What happens when an acid reacts with a metal?

Name an indicator we use to determine the acidity of a

solution.
THANKS!
Work Division List:
Aahan- Acid Characterstics- I
Axata- Introduction
Nirbecca- Strong vs Weak Acids
Raghav- Acid Characterstics- II
Sarhana- Indicators & Applications
Unnav- Organic & Inorganic Acids

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