Title: Acids and alkalis Date: November 18, 2023

Learning objective: Define and give examples of acids, alkalis and their common
reactions
Do
now Success criteria
Write a description of what is mean
by ‘acid’ • Define what an acid is and give some examples

• Define what an alkalis is and give examples

Write a description of what is mean
by ‘alkalis’ • Write out the common acid reactions required for
GCSE
Link acids and alkalis in terms of
ions
Alkalis have a pH number of:

A = pH 1-6
B = pH 7
C = pH 8-14
Acids have a pH number of:
A = pH 1-6
B = pH 7
C = pH 8-14
Which of these is a weak alkalis?

A = pH 7
B = pH 1
C = pH 8
D = pH 13
Bee Stings are:

A = Neutral
B = Acid
C = Alkali
Neutral substances have a:

A = Green Colour
B = Blue Colour
C = Red Colour
D = Yellow Colour
Examples of Acids and Alkalis
Litmus is an indicator that is red in acid and blue in alkali.

Universal indicator tells us how strongly acidic or alkaline a

substance is.

Methyl orange turns red when in an acidic solution and yellow

when it is either neutral or alkaline

Phenolphthalein is colorless as neutral and acid, but pink when

alkaline.
1. Explain why knowing whether an acid is strong or weak
is important.

2. Give the role the pH scale plays in determining the

strength of an acid or alkali

3. Define the term: Neutralisation

Extension: Give an example of a neutralization reaction
The stronger the acid the more dangerous it is.
pH 1 is a strong acid, pH 6 is a weak acid, pH 7 is
neutral, pH 8 is a weak alkali, pH 14 is strong alkali

Neutralisation is a reaction where an acid reacts with

an alkali to form a neutral solution

Antacids, farmers neutralize soils etc

 Acids
Acids form acidic solutions in water. Acids are sources
of hydrogen ions, H+. For example, hydrochloric acid
produces hydrogen ions:

HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

What does (aq) mean?

 Alkalis
• Alkalis form alkaline solutions in water. Alkalis are sources
of hydroxide ions, OH-. For example, sodium hydroxide
produces hydroxide ions:

NaOH(aq) → Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)

What other state symbols are there?

 Acids are substances that: What are acids?
Turn litmus red.

Have a pH below 7 and turn universal indicator yellow, orange or red.

Contain H+ ions
Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid.

Ethanoic acid (vinegar) is a weak acid.

Ions
Atoms with incomplete outer electron shells are unstable. By either gaining or
losing electrons, atoms can obtain full outer electron shells and become stable.

When this happens, atoms have an unequal number of

protons and electrons and so have an overall charge.

This is how atoms become ions.

 What are alkalis?
Contain OH- ions
Alkalis are substances that:

Turn litmus blue.

Have a pH above 7 and turn universal indicator blue or purple.

Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali.

Ammonia is a weak alkali.
Sodium hydroxide is a strong alkali.
 Neutralisation
When an acid and an alkali react in a neutralisation reaction the hydrogen ions react with the
hydroxide ion to produce a neutral substance.

Acid + Alkali  Water

Task: Give a name for this type of reaction and explain where water would
be found on the pH scale.

Challenge: Put this into a symbol equation.

 Neutralisation

When an acid and an alkali react in a neutralisation reaction the hydrogen ions react
with the hydroxide ion to produce a neutral substance.

Hydrogen ion (acid) = H+ Hydroxide ion (alkali) = OH-

H+ + OH-  H2O
Why does water not have a charge?
1. What ion do all acids contain?
2. Give an example of where an acid is used.
3. What ion do all alkalis contain?
4. Give an example of where an alkali is used
5. What is the difference between an alkali and an acid.
6. Write the word equation and the ionic equation for neutralisation.

Extension: Predict why an acid can be a strong acid, linking to the ions present
within it
1. What do all acids contain? H+ ions
2. Give an example of where an acid is used Car battery, stomach acid, vinegar…
3. What do all alkalis contain? OH- ions.
4. Give an example of where an alkali is used Bleach, soap, drain cleaner…
5. What is the difference between and alkali and an acid? Acids contain H+ ions,
alkalis contain OH- ions
6. Write the word equation and the ionic equation for neutralisation.

Extension: The more H+ ions in an acid, the stronger it is.

Task: Reactions of acids
For the following acids: Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid

Research and describe, with examples of how they react with:

1. Metals
2. Bases
3. Metal carbonates

Extension: List and explain some industrial uses of acids and alkalis