ACIDS, BASES

AND SALTS
Acids, Bases and Salts
LEARNING OUTCOMES
■Define acid and acid anhydride
■Investigate the reactions of non-oxidising acids with
metals, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates and bases
■Define base and alkali
■Investigate the reaction of bases with ammonium
salts
■Relate acidity and alkalinity to the pH scale
■Discuss the strength of acids and alkalis on the
basis of their completeness of ionisation
■Define acidic, basic, amphoteric and neutral oxides
Acids, Bases and Salts
LEARNING OUTCOMES
■Define salt
■Identify an appropriate method of salt preparation
based on the solubility of the salt
■Distinguish between acidic and normal salts
■Investigate neutralisation reactions using indicators
and temperature changes
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
What are acids?
■ Fruits like apples, oranges and pineapples taste sour because
they contain acids.
■ Acids also turn blue litmus paper red.
■ Acids produce hydrogen ions H+ in water.
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Properties of Acids

■ Acids have a sour taste.

■ Acids turn blue litmus to red.
■ pH less than 7
■ Corrosive
■ electrolytes

5
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Definition of An Acid
An acid is a substance which produces hydrogen ions, H+(aq) in water.

■ For example, hydrochloric acid dissolves in

water to form hydrogen ions and chloride ions:
HCl(aq) 🡪 H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
■ It is the hydrogen ions which turn blue litmus
to red and give acids their characteristic properties.
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
The Strength of an Acid
Strong acid
■ A strong acid is an acid that
is completely ionised in
water. This means that all
the acid molecules become
ions in the water.

■ Examples of strong acids are: sulphuric acid, hydrochloric

acid and nitric acid. These are also called mineral acids.
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts

A Weak Acid
Weak acid

■ A weak acid is an acid that is

only partially ionised in water.
This means that only a few
molecules of the acid become
ions in water.

■ E.g.s. of weak acids are: ethanoic acid, citric acid. These

are organic acids. Carbonic acid (H2CO3) which is not an
organic acid is also classified as weak.
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Chemical properties of acids

■Alkalis react with acids to from salt and water

only.
E.g. 1. NaOH + HCl 🡪 NaCl + H2O
E.g. 2 2KOH + H2SO4 🡪 K2SO4 + 2H2O

9
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Chemical properties of acids
pop
Other chemical properties of acids

■ Acids react with metals to produce

hydrogen gas.
E.g. Mg + H2SO4 🡪 MgSO4 + H2
( test for hydrogen gas)

■ Acids react with carbonates to

produce carbon dioxide.
E.g.
CaCO3 +2HCl 🡪 CaCl2 + H2O + CO2 Limewater HCl+CaCO3
turns chalky
(test for carbon dioxide)
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Chemical properties of acids
Other chemical properties of acids
■ Acids react with bases to form a salt and water only.
■ E.g. sulphuric acid reacts with copper(II) oxide to form a salt
called copper(II) sulphate and water:
H2SO4 + CuO 🡪 CuSO4 + H2O

■ This reaction is called neutralisation.

Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Uses of Acids

■ Hydrochloric acid is used in the industry to remove

rust from metals before they are painted.
■ Sulphuric acid is used to make fertilisers and
detergents.
■ Ethanoic acid is used in vinegar for cooking and
to preserve food such as vegetables.
■ Citric acid is used in making fruit juices.
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Some Common Acids

Name of acid Formula

Sulphuric acid H2SO4
Hydrochloric acid HCl
Nitric acid HNO3
Citric acid C6H8O7
Ethanoic acid (vinegar) CH3COOH
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 1
1. What ions do acids produce in water?
2. State three properties of acids.
3. Explain what is meant by a strong acid. Give one
example of a strong acid.
4. Explain what is meant by a weak acid. Give one example
of a weak acid.
5. Some dry citric acid crystals are placed on a dry piece of
litmus paper. Will there be a colour change? Explain your
answer.
Solution
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 1
1. Hydrogen ions
2. (a) Acids have a sour taste.
(b) Acids turn blue litmus to red.
(c) Acids react with metals to produce hydrogen.
3. A strong acid is an acid that is completely ionised in water. E.g.
sulphuric acid.
4. A weak acid is an acid that is only partially ionised in water. E.g.
ethanoic acid.
5. There will be no colour change because there is no water, so
the citric acid cannot form hydrogen ions.
Return
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Bases
■ A base is an oxide or hydroxide of a metal.
■ Examples of bases are:
sodium oxide, sodium hydroxide, copper(II)
oxide, copper(II) hydroxide, etc.
■ A base reacts with an acid to form a salt and
water only.
E.g. CuO + H2SO4 🡪 CuSO4 + H2O
■ This process is called neutralisation.
16
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Alkalis
■ If a base is soluble in water, it is called an alkali.

■ An alkali is a soluble base which

produces hydroxide ions, OH− (aq)
in water.

■ Sodium hydroxide is an alkali because it dissolves in

water to produce hydroxide ions:
NaOH(aq) 🡪 Na+(aq) + OH−(aq)
17
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Difference between base and alkali

■ Copper(II) hydroxide is a base but not an alkali. This is

because it is insoluble in water and hence cannot produce
hydroxide ions in water.

■ Is this true? BASE

CuO ALKALI
All alkalis are bases,
Cu(OH)2 NaOH KOH NH3(aq)
but not all bases are alkalis.
Fe2O3 Ca(OH)2
MgO

18
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Properties of Bases

■ Alkalis have a bitter taste and slippery

feel.
■ Alkalis turns red litmus to blue.
■ pH greater than 7
■ Corrosive
■ electrolytes

19
Chemical properties of alkalis

Alkalis react with acids to from salt and water only.

E.g. 1. NaOH + HCl 🡪 NaCl + H2O
E.g. 2 2KOH + H2SO4 🡪 K2SO4 + 2H2O

20
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Chemical properties of alkalis
■ Alkalis react with ammonium salts to produce ammonia gas.
■ Ammonia gas is basic, thus it turns red litmus paper blue.
■ Ammonia gas is very soluble in water and gives out a pungent
smell.
E.g.1: NaOH + NH4Cl 🡪 NaCl + NH3 + H2O
NH3 gas produced turns
red litmus blue

Sodium hydroxide +
ammonium chloride

E.g. 2: Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl 🡪 CaCl2 + 2NH3 + 2H2O

21
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Uses of Bases

■ Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are used in

making soaps.
■ Ammonia solution is used in window cleaners.
How does it work?
■ Magnesium hydroxide is used in toothpastes to neutralise
the acid produced by bacteria.
■ Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) is used to neutralise
acids found in acidic soil.

22
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Some Common Alkalis
Name Chemical formula

Sodium hydroxide NaOH

Potassium hydroxide KOH

Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2

Ammonia solution NH4OH(aq)

(ammonium hydroxide)
23
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 2

1. What is a base? Give 3 examples of bases.

2. Define what is an alkali. Give 3 examples of alkalis.
3. State 3 properties of alkalis.
4. Explain why iron(II) hydroxide is a base, but not an alkali.
5. Write balanced chemical equations for the following
reactions:
(a) potassium hydroxide + ammonium chloride
(b) calcium hydroxide + ammonium chloride

Solution
24
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 2

1. A base is an oxide or hydroxide of a metal.

E.g. sodium oxide, copper(II) oxide, calcium hydroxide.
2. An alkali is a soluble base which produces hydroxide ions in water.
E.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide.
3. (i) Alkalis turn red litmus blue.
(ii) Alkalis react with acids to produce a salt and water.
(iii) Alkalis react with ammonium salts to produce ammonia.
4. Iron(II) hydroxide is a base, but not an alkali because it is insoluble
in water, so it cannot produce hydroxide ions in water.
5. (a) KOH + NH4Cl 🡪 KCl + H2O + NH3
(b) Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl 🡪 CaCl2 + 2H2O + 2NH3
Return
25
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Indicators

■ Indicators are substances which show different

colours in acidic and alkaline solutions.

■ Litmus is a common indicator. It is red in acidic

solutions and blue in alkaline solutions.

■ Other important indicators are shown in the table

on the next slide.

26
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Indicators
Indicator Colour in pH at which Colour in
strong Acids colour changes strong alkalis

Methyl orange red pH 4 yellow

Screened Methyl purple pH 3.8 green
Orange
Litmus red pH 7 blue

Phenolphthalein colourless pH 9 pink

27
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
The pH Scale
■ The pH of a solution tells us how acidic or alkaline a
solution is.
■ The pH is a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration
in a solution.
■ The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
■ The pH of a solution can be measured with a pH meter.

28
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
The pH Scale

■ The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution is.
■ The higher the pH, the more alkaline the solution is.
■ pH 7 is neutral.
■ Distilled water, sugar solution and most salt solutions are
neutral (pH 7).

29
pH Scale

30
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
The Universal Indicator
■ The Universal Indicator consists of a mixture of dyes which
changes its colour in different pH solutions.
■ We can use the Universal Indicator to tell us the
approximate pH of a solution.
■ The Universal Indicator or pH paper changes its colour
according to the pH shown in the chart below.

Box of pH paper with

colour chart 31
 Acid Anhydrides
■ This is a compound that reacts with water
to form an acid.
■ Examples are CO2, SO2, SO3 and NO2

32
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Types of Oxides
■ Elements burn or react with oxygen to form oxides.
■ There are 4 types of oxides: acidic oxides, basic oxides, amphoteric
oxides and neutral oxides.
■ An acidic oxide is an oxide of a non-metal. It dissolves in water to form an
acid. Acidic oxides react with alkalis to form salts .
■ A basic oxide is an oxide of a metal. If soluble, it will dissolve in water to
form an alkali. Basic oxides react with acids to form salts.
■ An amphoteric oxide is an oxide which can react with both acids and
alkalis to form salts. Eg PbO, ZnO
■ A neutral oxide does not react with either acids or alkalis.

33
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Types of Oxides
4 TYPES OF OXIDES

Acidic Oxides Basic Oxides Amphoteric Oxides Neutral Oxides

CO2 , SO2 Na2O, CaO, K2O, Al2O3 , PbO , H2O, CO ,

NO2 MgO, CuO ZnO NO, N2O

React with React with both Do not react with

alkalis to form React with acids to acids & alkalis to both acids &
salts form salts form salts alkalis
34
Amphoteric Oxides

base

35
36
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 3
1. Name 3 common indicators and their colour change in strong
acidic and strong alkaline solutions.
2. What is meant by the pH of a solution? What is the pH of :
(a) hydrochloric acid, (b) citric acid, (c) sodium chloride
solution, (d) sodium hydroxide solution?
3. What are the 4 types of oxides? Give one example of each
type of oxide.
4. What colours would you expect to see when the following
indicators are added to a solution of pH 5?
(a) litmus, (b) phenolphthalein, (c) methyl orange
Solution
37
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 3

1. Litmus: red, blue;

Phenolphthalein: colourless, pink;
Universal Indicator: red, violet
2. The pH of a solution measures the acidity or alkalinity of a
solution. (a) 0 – 1, (b) 3 – 4, (c) 7, (d) 13 – 14.
3. Acidic oxides, basic oxides, amphoteric oxides and neutral
oxides. E.g. sulphur dioxide, sodium oxide, aluminium oxide,
water.
4. (a) litmus: red, (b) phenolphthalein: colourless,
(c) methyl orange: yellow
Return
38
REFER TEXT BOOK : PAGE
39 138
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Salts

■ A salt contains two parts:

■ Metal part : cation (comes from the base)
■ Non-metal part : anion (comes from the acid)

40
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Examples of Salts

Base (alkali) Acid Salt formed

Sodium hydroxide Hydrochloric acid Sodium chloride
Potassium hydroxide Hydrochloric acid Potassium chloride
Sodium hydroxide Sulphuric acid Sodium sulphate
Potassium hydroxide Sulphuric acid Potassium sulphate
Calcium hydroxide Nitric acid Calcium nitrate
Ammonia solution Nitric acid Ammonium nitrate

41
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Uses of Salts
■ Sodium chloride is used as table salt and to preserve
meat and vegetables.
■ Sodium chloride is electrolysed to obtain sodium and
chlorine in the industry.
■ Ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate are used
as plant fertilisers.
■ Magnesium sulphate, commonly called Epsom salt, is
used as a bath-salt.

42
43
44
 Iron(II) Magnesium Zinc Sodium
Chloride Chloride Chloride chloride,
FeCl2 MgCl2 ZnCl2 NaCl

Copper(II) Copper(II) Aluminium(II) Potassium

Chloride sulphate sulphate chloride,
CuCl2 CuSO4 Al2(SO4)3 KCl

45
46
47
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Methods of Preparing Soluble Salts
1. Action of acid on alkali
ACID + ALKALI 🡪 SALT + WATER

■ This process is called neutralisation.

■ To carry out the neutralisation of the acid
and alkali exactly, a method called titration
is used.
■
48
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
To prepare sodium nitrate by neutralisation (titration method)

burette

Pipette
Sodium nitrate and water
(phenolphthalein as indicator) 49
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
To prepare sodium nitrate by neutralisation (titration method)

50
51
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Methods of Preparing Soluble Salts
2. Action of acid on insoluble base
ACID + BASE 🡪 SALT + WATER
■ This method is used for bases which are insoluble in water.
■ Examples of salts prepared by this method:
* copper(II) sulphate from copper(II) oxide and sulphuric acid:
CuO + H2SO4 🡪 CuSO4 + H2O
* zinc chloride from zinc oxide and hydrochloric acid:
ZnO + 2HCl 🡪 ZnCl2 + H2O
52
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Preparation of copper(II) sulphate (acid on insoluble base)
Step 1 Place about 50 cm³ of dilute
sulphuric acid in a beaker and gently
warm the acid. Copper(II) oxide is added,
a little at a time, to the acid, until no more
can dissolve.
Equation: CuO + H2SO4 🡪 CuSO4 + H2O
Step 2 Filter off the excess copper(II) oxide
using a filter paper and funnel. Collect the
filtrate which contains copper(II) sulphate in
an evaporating dish.
53
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Preparation of copper(II) sulphate (acid on insoluble base)

Step 3 Evaporate the copper(II) sulphate solution until it is saturated.

Allow the hot solution to cool to form crystals.
Step 4 Filter off the copper(II) sulphate crystals formed and dry them
by pressing them between sheets of filter paper.
54
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Methods of Preparing Soluble Salts
3. Action of acid on a carbonate
ACID + CARBONATE 🡪 SALT + WATER + CO2
Eg.1 Sulphuric acid on sodium carbonate
H2SO4 + Na2CO3 🡪 Na2SO4 + H2O + CO2
Eg.2 Hydrochloric acid on calcium carbonate
2HCl + CaCO3 🡪 CaCl2 + H2O + CO2

■ This method is similar to the previous method; instead of the

oxide, the carbonate is added in excess to the acid.
55
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Methods of Preparing Soluble Salts
4. Action of acid on a metal
ACID + METAL 🡪 SALT + HYDROGEN
Eg.1 Sulphuric acid on zinc
H2SO4 + Zn 🡪 ZnSO4 + H2
Eg.2 Hydrochloric acid on magnesium
2HCl + Mg 🡪 MgCl2 + H2
■ NOTE:
Only metals like magnesium, zinc and iron are suitable. Metals
like sodium, potassium and calcium are explosive with acids;
while metals like lead and copper are unreactive with acids.
56
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Making zinc sulphate (acid on metal)

Can you describe how zinc sulphate is prepared with the aid of the diagrams? 57
58
59
60
 Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Methods of Preparing Insoluble Salts
5. Double Displacement (Precipitation method)
■ This method is used to prepare insoluble salts.
■ Two solutions are mixed together to produce a precipitate of
the insoluble salt which can then be filtered off from the mixture.

+ CB (aq)
AD (s)
AB (aq) CD (aq)
E.g. Lead(II) nitrate + Sodium chloride 🡪 Lead(II) chloride + Sodium nitrate
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + 2NaCl(aq) 🡪 PbCl2(s) + 2NaNO3(aq)
61
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Other salts made by precipitation method

■ Silver chloride
AgNO3(aq) + HCl(aq) 🡪 AgCl(s) + HNO3(aq)

■ Barium sulphate
Ba(NO3)2(aq) + H2SO4(aq) 🡪 BaSO4(s) + 2HNO3(aq)

■ Copper(II) carbonate
CuSO4(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) 🡪 CuCO3(s) + Na2SO4(aq)

62
63
64
65
Salt Preparation (Summary)

66
 Normal salts versus Acid salts
A normal salt is formed when all of the hydrogen in an acid is replaced by a metal or
an ammonium ion.

An acid salt is formed where only some of the hydrogen ions of an acid have been
replaced by metal ions or the ammonium ions.

For examples:

Acids such as sulfuric acid and carbonic acid which have two hydrogen ions per
molecule, when only one of the hydrogen ions is replaced with a metal ion, the salts
formed still contain hydrogen ions.

Acid Type of acid salt Example

Carbonic acid H2CO3 Hydrogencarbonate Sodium hydrogencarbonate
NaHCO3
Sulfuric acid H2SO4 Hydrogensulfate Potassium hydrogensulfate
KHSO4
67
Anhydrous versus hydrated
salts
■ An anhydrous salt has no water of
crystallization, while a hydrated salt has
water of crystallization.
For example:
Anhydrous copper sulfate (CuSO4)
Hydrated copper sulfate (CuSO4.5H2O)
CuSO4.5H2O🡪 CuSO4 + 5H2O

68
Hydrated copper sulfate Anhydrous copper sulfate

69
Cobalt chloride

70
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 4
1. Define what is salt. Give an example of a soluble and insoluble
salt.
2. State 4 methods of making salts.
3. State whether the following salts are soluble or insoluble:
(a) sodium carbonate, (b) calcium chloride, (c) barium sulphate,
(d) lead(II) nitrate, (e) lead(II) chloride.
4. State the method you would choose to prepare the following
salts:
(a) potassium nitrate, (b) zinc nitrate, (c) magnesium sulphate,
(d) copper(II) carbonate.
For each method, state the chemicals you will need and
write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction.

71
Solution
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 4

1. A salt is formed when an acid is neutralised by a base.

E.g. soluble salt: sodium chloride
E.g. insoluble salt: calcium sulphate
2. (a) Acid on metal, (b) acid on base, (c) acid on carbonate,
(d) precipitation method
3. Soluble: sodium carbonate, calcium chloride, lead(II) nitrate; Insoluble: lead(II)
chloride, barium sulphate
4. (a) potassium nitrate: titration method; potassium hydroxide and
nitric acid; KOH + HNO3 🡪 KNO3 + H2O
(b) zinc nitrate: acid on carbonate; nitric acid and zinc carbonate;
2HNO3 + ZnCO3 🡪 Zn(NO3)2 + H2O + CO2
(c) magnesium sulphate: acid on metal; magnesium and sulphuric acid;
Mg + H2SO4 🡪 MgSO4 + H2
(d) copper(II) carbonate: precipitation method;
copper(II) sulphate and sodium carbonate;
CuSO4(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) 🡪 CuCO3(s) + Na2SO4(aq) Return
72
Chapter 10
Acids, Bases and Salts

To learn more about Acids, Bases and Salts,

click on the links below!
1. http://www.sciencebyjones.com/acids_bases_salts.htm

2. http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/genobc/Chapter_09/

3. http://www.chem.ubc.ca/courseware/pH/index.html

73
EXAM QUESTIONS
Question
Elliot makes zinc chloride crystals from zinc oxide and an acid.
This is what he does:
1. Add zinc oxide to dilute acid until some zinc oxide remains
unreacted.
2. Filter the mixture.
3. Pour the filtrate into an evaporating basin.
4. Heat the filtrate over a water bath until crystals appear around the
edge.
5. Remove the heat and leave in a warm, dry place for a few days.
a) Name the acid used in step 1. [1 marks]
b) Describe and explain one improvement to step 1. [1 marks]
c) Explain why Elliot filters the mixture in step 2. [1 marks]
d) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction, including state
symbols.
[4 marks]
74
2. Group 1 compounds are all soluble in water.
Explain how you could prepare crystals of potassium nitrate
from an acid and alkali of your choice.
Include a balanced symbol equation in your answer. [6
marks]

75
3. Describe the similarities in the reactions of ethanoic acid
and sulfuric acid with metals, carbonates and bases.
Describe and explain any differences observed. You should
include relevant equations in your answer. [6 marks]

76
CLASSWORK

1. Explain how you would prepare a dry

sample of calcium nitrate using a
carbonate. (6 marks)
b) Give one way in which you could
ensure test if the finished product is
pure calcium nitrate. (2 marks)

77
Answer
■ 1. combine 1 spatula of calcium carbonate and with 20mL of nitric acid in a
beaker.
■ 2. Add enough calcium carbonate until no further effervescence and calcium
carbonate is in excess.
■ 3. Filter the mixture to remove excess calcium carbonate.
■ Wash the residue using distilled water.
■ 4. Pour the filtrate into an evaporating dish.
■ 5. Heat the mixture over a Bunsen burner until crystals form.
■ 6. Collect the crystals in a watch glass.

Testing for purity of the salt

■ 1. Add a small amount of acid to see if there is effervescence which would
indicate that the salt is contaminated with calcium carbonate.
■ 2. Test using damp blue and red litmus paper. If none of the papers change
their colour it means that the salt is pure.
78
2. Using reactions as examples,
differentiate between acidic, basic,
amphoteric and neutral oxides. [8
marks]

79
■ 1. SO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq)🡪 Na2SO3(aq) + H2O(l)
■ 2. Cu2O(s) + HNO3(aq) 🡪 CuNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
■ 3. Al2O3, ZnO, PbO
■ Al2O3(s) + HCl (aq)🡪 AlCl3 (aq) + H2O (l)
■ Al2O3 (s) + NaOH(aq) 🡪 NaAlO3 (aq) + H2O(l)
■ 4. No reaction with acid nor base. Eg N 2O, NO,
CO,

80
Do the following questions in
your notebook
■ 1. What is a salt?
■ 2. Distinguish between acid salts and normal
salts.
■ 3. Distinguish between anhydrous salts and
hydrated salts.
■ 4. Using examples, give three uses of salts
■ 5. Using examples, give two dangers of salts

81