NOTES

Write the characteristics of acids and bases.

• Acids have a sour taste. They turn blue litmus paper to red.
• Bases have a bitter taste and soapy texture. They turn red litmus paper to
blue.
Define Indicators

Special type of substances are used to test whether a substance is acidic or basic. These
substances are knows as indicators.
Example – litmus paper
Name the acids present in the following:-

• Vinegar – Acetic Acid

• Ant sting – Formic
• Citrus fruits – Citric/ascorbic acid
• Curd – Lactic Acid
• Spinach/Tomato – Oxalic Acid
• Tamarind, grapes, unripe mangoes – Tartaric Acid
 Name the bases in the following:-

• Lime Water – Calcium Hydroxide

• Window Cleaner – Ammonium
Hydroxide
• Soap – Potassium/Sodium Hydroxide
Name the most commonly used natural indicator.

The most commonly used natural indicator is litmus paper.

Where do we extract litmus and what is the colour of it? How does it indicates that a substance is acidic or basic in
nature

It has a mauve (purple) colour in distillated water. When added to an acidic solution, it turns red
and when added to a basic solution, it turns blue. It is available in the form of a solution, or in
the form of strips of paper, known as litmus paper. Generally, it is available in 2 forms; a solution
or in the form of strips of paper as red and blue litmus paper.
How a china rose indicates that a substance is acidic or basic in nature.

A china rose indicates an acidic solution by turning magenta and a basic solution by turning
green.
How a phenolphthalein indicates that a substance is acidic or basic in nature.

When the solution is acidic, it remains color-less. If the solution is basic, it turns pink in
color.
What are neutral solutions?

The solutions which do not change their color of either red litmus or blue
litmus are known as neutral solutions.
What is neutralisation.

The reaction between an acid and base is known as neutralisation.

After carrying out the neutralisation reaction, the test tube immediately found to be somewhat hot. Explain

After, carrying out the neutralisation reaction, salt and water are
produced which lead to evolution of heat.
A small amount of hydrochloric acid is always produced in stomach. Is it useful or harmful for us? If excess of acid is
produced in stomach what should be done?

A small amount of hydrochloric acid is produced in our stomach which

is useful for us as hydrochloric acid kills the germs in the food that we
eat and helps in digestion. Although, if excess of this acid is produced in
the stomach, it causes acidity and heartburn. We should take milk of
magnesia to neutralize the excess acid.
Paheli is suffering from indigestion due to acidity. Is it advisable to give her orange juice in this situation and why?

No! She should not take orange juice in case of acidity. Giving orange juice which
itself is acidic (contains citric acid) will increase amount of acid more and worsen
the condition. Instead she should be given basic substances like Milk of Magnesia
for treatment.
Which acid is injected into our body by an ant sting that causes pain?

Formic acid is injected into our body by an ant sting that causes pain.
How can we neutralise the effect of formic acid that is injected by an ant in our body.

The effect of sting of an ant can be neutralized by rubbing with moist baking
soda or calamine solution.
Name one acid which is responsible for acid rain

Carbonic Acid is responsible for acid rain.

Name two gaseous pollutants which are responsible for acid rain.

The 2 acids are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphuric dioxide (SO2)
A farmer was unhappy because of his low crop yield. He discussed the
problem with an agricultural scientist and realized that the soil of his field
was either too acidic or too basic. What remedy would you suggest the
farmer to neutralise the soil?

The reason for low crop yield in farmer’s field was that the soil at a place is either
too acidic or too basic. When the soil is too acidic, it is treated with base such as
quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) which neutralises the
excess acid. When the soil is too acidic, it is treated with base such as quicklime
(calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) which neutralises the excess
acid. If the soil is too basic, then decaying organic matter (called manure or
compost) is added it. The decaying organic matter releases acid which neutralises
the excess bases present in the soil and reduces its
Paheli observed that most of the fish in the pond of her village were gradually dying.
She also observed that the wastes of a factory in their village are flowing into the
pond which probably caused the fish to die.
(a) Explain why the fish were dying?
(b) If the factory waste is acidic in nature, how can it be neutralised?

a) If the wastes of a factory flow into waterbodies, it can cause a threat

to the lives of sea creatures and to anybody who drink the water. Since,
factory wastes may contain acids or bases and it can kill the fish.

(b) If the factory waste is acidic in nature, it can be neutralised by adding

basic substances.