International Schools of Islamic Educational College

(British Programme – International Baccalaureate)

Grade 10
Unit 8: Acids and bases

Understanding acids and bases.

Objectives

 Describe neutrality and relative acidity and alkalinity.

Find the odd
 Are these properties of acid or bases?
Acid base Taste sour
corrosive
Turns
Taste sour litmus paper Taste bitter
irritant
Turns litmus blue
pH >7 Turns litmus paper blue
paper red
Turns litmus paper red
corrosive irritant
Releases H+
Releases H+ Taste bitter pH >7 pH<7

pH<7 Releases OH-

Releases OH-
What are acids?

Acids can be defined as substances that release H+ ions when they dissolve in
water.
When hydrogen chloride dissolves in water,
it releases H+ ions and Cl– ions:

HCl H+ + Cl–

When ethanoic acid dissolves in water, it releases H+ ions and CH3COO– ions:

CH3COOH H+ + CH3COO–

Since acids release H+ ions, we call them H+ donors.

What are H+ ions?
Hydrogen atoms contain one proton and one electron.

A H+ ion is a hydrogen atom that has lost its

single electron. This leaves a lone, positively
charged proton.

Because acids donate protons, they are defined as proton donors.

When dissolved in water, the H+ ion is hydrated. This is represented in formulae

by adding a state symbol, H+ (aq).
What are bases and alkalis?
Bases are substances that react with acids.
They absorb hydrogen ions (H+). Bases are therefore proton acceptors.

The oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of metals, such as sodium carbonate, are
bases.
Some bases are soluble in water: these bases are
bases:
called alkalis.
react with acids
Alkalis release hydroxide ions (OH–) in
solution. alkalis:
soluble
All alkalis are bases, but not all bases are alkalis. bases
Examples of bases and alkalis
Sodium hydroxide is an alkali. It dissolves in water to release Na+ ions and OH–
ions:

NaOH Na+ + OH–

Ammonia is a base that does not contain a metal. It

can accept a proton to form the NH4+ ion.

Ammonia is also an alkali. It dissolves in water to release

NH4+ ions and OH– ions:

NH3 + H2 O NH4+ + OH–

What happens in neutralization?
In a neutralization reaction, an acid reacts with an alkali to produce a salt and water.

When the acid reacts with the alkali, the acid’s H+ ions react with the alkali’s
OH– ions, forming water.

H+ + OH– H2O

This process takes place in all neutralization reactions.

acid alkali salt + water

Every day life acids and bases
Acids and bases are commonly used in science laboratory classrooms throughout
the country, but these powerful substances have a multitude of uses in our
everyday lives. Acids and bases are used at the industrial level, contributing to the
manufacture of many of the products such as window cleaners, soaps and washing
detergents.
The End