CHAPTER 2 Acids, Bases and Salts

1. You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains
distilled water and the other two contain an acidic solution and a basic
solution, respectively. If you are given only red litmus paper, how will you
identify the contents of each test tube?

. Observation: We have three test tubes.

. Materials Provided: Red litmus paper.

. Test Tube Contents:

o One has distilled water.

o The other two have acidic and basic solutions.

. Procedure:

o Take a piece of red litmus paper.

o Dip the red litmus paper into each test tube, one at a time.

Observation:

o If the litmus paper turns blue, it indicates a basic solution.

o If the litmus paper remains red, it indicates either distilled
water or an acidic solution.

Further Test:

To differentiate between distilled water and an acidic solution:

 o Take another piece of red litmus paper.
o Dip it into the test tube that didn't turn blue.
o If the litmus paper remains red, it indicates distilled water.
o If the litmus paper turns blue, it indicates an acidic solution.

.Conclusion: By observing the color change of the red litmus paper, we

can identify the contents of each test tube. Blue indicates a basic
solution, while red indicates either distilled water (if it remains red) or an
acidic solution (if it turns blue).

1. Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and
copper vessels?

Reason for not keeping curd and sour substances in brass and copper
vessels:

Cause: Brass and copper contain metal ions that react with acids.

Result: This reaction can lead to the formation of harmful compounds.

Example: Acids in curd or sour substances react with brass/copper,

forming toxic compounds like copper acetate.

Effect: Consumption of such substances stored in these vessels may

lead to health hazards.

2. Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal?

Illustrate with an example. How will you test for the presence of this gas?

Gas liberated when an acid reacts with a metal:

Gas: Hydrogen gas is usually liberated.

 Example: Reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and zinc:

Chemical Equation: Zn+ 2HCl→ZnCl2 + H2

Testing for presence of hydrogen gas:

Procedure: Place a burning candle near the mouth of the test tube
where the reaction is occurring.

Observation: Hydrogen gas being lighter than air, it rises and burns
with a pop sound when it reaches the flame.

3. Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce

effervescence. The gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a
balanced chemical equation for the reaction if one of the compounds
formed is calcium chloride

Reaction of metal compound A with hydrochloric acid and its products:

Reaction: Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to

produce effervescence.

Resulting Compound: Calcium chloride is formed as one of the

compounds.

Balanced Chemical Equation:

Metal compound A + 2HCl →Gas + Calcium chloride

Testing for effervescence: Effervescence indicates the evolution of

gas. To confirm the presence of hydrogen gas:

Procedure: Bring a burning candle near the mouth of the test tube.

Observation: If the gas extinguishes the burning candle, it indicates the

presence of hydrogen gas.
1. Why do HCl, HNO3, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions
while solutions of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show
acidic character?

Acids like HCl and HNO3 show acidic properties because:

o They release hydrogen ions (H+) in water.

o This release of hydrogen ions causes characteristic sour
taste, turns blue litmus paper red, and enables conductivity
of electricity.

Compounds like alcohol and glucose:

o Do not release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

o Hence, they do not exhibit acidic properties.
.

2. Why does an aqueous solution of an acid conduct electricity?

 Aqueous solutions of acids conduct electricity because

they contain hydrogen ions (H+) and negatively charged
ions (anions) produced when the acid dissociates in
water.
 These ions can move freely in the solution, allowing the
flow of electric current.

3. Why does dry HCl gas not change the color of the dry litmus paper?

o Dry HCl gas does not change the color of dry litmus paper
because it does not produce hydrogen ions (H+) in the
absence of water.
o Litmus paper only changes color when it comes into contact
with hydrogen ions.

4. While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be

added to water and not water to the acid?

o It is recommended to add acid to water and not water to acid

because the process of diluting acid with water is highly
exothermic.
o Adding water to concentrated acid can cause a rapid release
of heat, potentially causing splashing and leading to burns.
o Adding acid to water allows for better control of the reaction
and reduces the risk of splashing.
5. How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) affected when a
solution of an acid is diluted?

o When a solution of an acid is diluted, the concentration of

hydronium ions (H3O+) decreases per unit volume.
o Dilution increases the volume of the solution while keeping
the amount of acid constant, leading to a decrease in the
concentration of hydronium ions.

6. How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH–) affected when

excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide?

o When excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium

hydroxide, the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH–)
increases.
o This is because the excess base dissociates to release more
hydroxide ions, leading to an increase in the concentration of
hydroxide ions in the solution.

1. You have two solutions, A and B. The pH of solution A is 6 and the pH

of solution B is 8. Which solution has more hydrogen ion concentration?
Which of these is acidic and which one is basic?

o Solution A has a lower pH value (6), indicating higher

hydrogen ion concentration compared to solution B (pH 8).
o Since pH is lower than 7, solution A is acidic, while solution B
is basic.
2. What effect does the concentration of H+(aq) ions have on the nature
of the solution?

o The concentration of H+(aq) ions determines the acidic or

basic nature of the solution.
o Higher concentration of H+(aq) ions makes the solution more
acidic, while lower concentration makes it more basic.

3. Do basic solutions also have H+(aq) ions? If yes, then why are these
basic?

o Yes, basic solutions also have H+(aq) ions, but in much

lower concentration compared to acidic solutions.
o Basic solutions are characterized by a higher concentration
of OH-(aq) ions, which make them basic despite the
presence of some H+(aq) ions.

4. Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of
his fields with quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium
hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate)?

o Farmers would treat acidic soils with quick lime (calcium

oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), or chalk (calcium
carbonate).
o These substances neutralize the excess acidity in the soil,
raising its pH level to a more suitable range for plant growth.
1. What are some examples of salts mentioned in the passage?

Potassium sulphate, sodium sulphate, calcium sulphate, magnesium

sulphate, copper sulphate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium
carbonate, and ammonium chloride.

2. What determines whether a salt is acidic, basic, or neutral?

o Salts of strong acid + strong base = neutral (pH 7)

o Salts of strong acid + weak base = acidic (pH < 7)
o Salts of strong base + weak acid = basic (pH > 7)

3. How can the pH of salts be determined?

The pH of salts can be determined by dissolving the salts in water,

testing their solubility, and then using litmus paper or pH paper to
measure the pH of the resulting solution.

4. What is the significance of water of crystallization in salts like copper

sulphate and gypsum?
 o Water of crystallization: fixed water molecules in salt.
o Example: Copper sulphate (CuSO4·5H2O), gypsum
(CaSO4·2H2O).
o Heating removes water, salt turns white.
o Re-moistening restores color and structure, indicating water
reabsorption.

1. What is the common name of the compound CaOCl2 ?

The common name of the compound CaOCl2 is "bleaching powder."

2. Name the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields

bleaching powder.

The substance that, on treatment with chlorine, yields bleaching powder

is dry slaked lime or calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2].

3. Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water.

Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is the sodium compound used for

softening hard water.

4. What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrocarbonate is heated?

Give the equation of the reaction involved.

When a solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3) is heated, it

decomposes to form sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), water (H2O), and
carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The equation for this reaction is:

2NaHCO3(s) -> Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

5. Write an equation to show the reaction between Plaster of Paris and
water.

The reaction between Plaster of Paris (calcium sulphate hemihydrate)

and water is as follows:

CaSO4.1/2H2O(s) + 1.5H2O(l) -> CaSO4.2H2O(s)

This reaction results in the formation of gypsum, which is the hydrated

form of calcium sulphate.

pposite of combination reactions? Write equations for these reactions.

Decomposition reactions involve the breakdown of a single compound

into two or more simpler substances. They are called the opposite of
combination reactions because in combination reactions, two or more
substances combine to form a single compound.

Equation for decomposition reaction:

Thermal decomposition of limestone: CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)

12. Write one equation each for decomposition reactions where energy
is supplied in the form of heat, light or electricity.

Equations for decomposition reactions with energy supplied in the form

of heat, light, or electricity:

o Heat: 2Pb(NO3)2(s) → 2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

o Light: 2AgBr(s) + sunlight → 2Ag(s) + Br2(g)
o Electricity: 2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g) (during electrolysis)
13. What is the difference between displacement and double
displacement reactions? Write equations for these reactions.

Displacement reactions involve the replacement of one element in a

compound by another more reactive element,

whereas double displacement reactions involve the exchange of ions

between two compounds to form two new compounds.

Equations:

Displacement reaction: Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)

Double displacement reaction: Na2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) → BaSO4(s)

+ 2NaCl(aq)

14. In the refining of silver, the recovery of silver from silver nitrate
solution involved displacement by copper metal. Write down the reaction
involved.

Reaction: 2AgNO3(aq) + Cu(s) → 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq)

Explanation:Silver ions in the silver nitrate solution are displaced by

copper metal, leading to the formation of silver metal and copper(II)
nitrate solution. This reaction helps in the recovery of silver during the
refining process.

15. What do you mean by a precipitation reaction? Explain by giving

examples.

Precipitation Reaction: A reaction in which an insoluble solid forms

(precipitate) when two soluble compounds in aqueous solution are
mixed.
Example: Mixing solutions of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and barium
chloride (BaCl2) results in the formation of insoluble barium sulfate
(BaSO4) precipitate according to the equation:

Na2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2NaCl(aq) .

16. Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two
examples each.

(a) Oxidation

(b) Reduction

(a) Oxidation: It involves the gain of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen by a

substance.

o Example 1: 2Cu(s) + O2(g) → 2CuO(s)

o Example 2: 2Mg(s) + O2(g) →2MgO(s)

(b) Reduction: It involves the loss of oxygen or the gain of hydrogen by a

substance.

o Example 1:CuO(s) + H2(g) →Cu(s) + H2O(l)

o Example 2: Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)

17. A shiny brown coloured element ‘X’ on heating in air becomes black
in colour. Name the element ‘X’ and the black coloured compound
formed.

Element X: Copper ( Cu )

Black Compound Formed: Copper(II) oxide ( CuO )

18. Why do we apply paint on iron articles?

Reason: To prevent corrosion or rusting of iron articles.

Explanation: Paint forms a protective layer over the surface of iron,

preventing it from coming into contact with moisture and oxygen in the
air, which are the primary causes of corrosion.

19. Oil and fat containing food items are flushed with nitrogen. Why?

Reason: To prevent rancidity.

Explanation: Nitrogen gas displaces oxygen from the packaging,

creating an oxygen-free environment. This prevents oxidation of fats and
oils, which leads to rancidity.

20. Explain the following terms with one example each.

(a) Corrosion

(b) Rancidity

(a) Corrosion: The gradual degradation of metals due to chemical

reactions with their environment.

Example: Rusting of iron ( 4Fe(s) + 3O2(g) →2Fe2O3(s) )

(b) Rancidity: The development of undesirable odors and flavors in fats

and oils due to oxidation.

-Example: Rancid butter or oils in stored food.