Acids Bases and Salts
Acids Bases and Salts
Acids Bases and Salts
& Salts
A.ACIDS AND BASES
At a school laboratory:
(i)An acid may be defined as a substance that turn litmus red.
(ii)A base may be defined as a substance that turn litmus blue.
Litmus is a lichen found mainly in West Africa. It changes its colour depending on
whether the solution it is in, is basic/alkaline or acidic.It is thus able to
identify/show whether
2.A base is a substance which dissolves in water to form OH- as the only
negatively charged ion/anion.
This is called Arrhenius definition of a base.
From this definition, a base dissociate/ionize in water releasing OH- thus:
(b)(i)For the forward reaction from left to right, HCl donates a proton to
form Cl- and thus HCl is a proton donor .
It is a Bronsted-Lowry acid
(ii) For the backward reaction from right to left, Cl- gains a proton to form
HCl and thus Cl- is an „opposite‟ proton acceptor.
It is a Bronsted-Lowry conjugate base.
Every base /acid from Bronsted-Lowry definition thus must have a conjugate
product/reactant.
H ð+ H ð+
H ð+ O ð- H ð+ H ð+
H ð+
O ð- H +
O ð- O ð- Cl -
O ð-
H ð+ Hð+
H ð+ O ð- H ð+ H+ H ð+
H ð+ H ð+ O ð-
-
Cl H +
Free ions
H-Cl
H-Cl
methyl benzene
H-Cl
H-Cl
Covalent bond
7. Some acids and bases are strong while others are weak.
(a)A strong acid/base is one which is fully/wholly/completely dissociated / ionized
into many free H+ /OH- ions i.e.
I. Strong acids exists more as free H+ ions than molecules. e.g.
(b) A weak base/acid is one which is partially /partly dissociated /ionized in water
into free OH- (aq) and H+(aq) ions.
I. Weak acids exists more as molecules than as free H+ ions. e.g.
II. Weak bases/alkalis exists more as molecules than free OH- ions. e.g.
9. (a) (i)strong acids have pH 1/2/3 while weak acids have high pH 4/5/6.
(ii)a neutral solution have pH 7
10.(a) When acids /bases dissolve in water, the ions present in the solution conduct
electricity.
The more the dissociation the higher the yield of ions and the greater the electrical
conductivity of the solution.
A compound that conducts electricity in an electrolyte and thus a compound
showing high electrical conductivity is a strong electrolyte while a compound
showing low electrical conductivity is a weak electrolyte.
(b) Practically, a bright light on a bulb ,a high voltage reading from a voltmeter
high ammeter reading from an ammeter, a big deflection on a galvanometer is an
indicator of strong electrolyte(acid/base) and the opposite for weak
electrolytes(acids/base)
(ii) when reacting with sodium hydroxide, the oxide shows acidic properties by
reacting with a base to form a complex salt.
Basic oxide + Base/alkali + Water -> Complex salt
Examples:
Chemical equation
1.When Zinc oxide is reacted with sodium hydroxide the complex salt is sodium
tetrahydroxozincate(II) complex salt.
ZnO(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + H2O(l) -> Na2Zn(OH) 4(aq)
2.When Zinc oxide is reacted with potassium hydroxide the complex salt is
potassium tetrahydroxozincate(II) complex salt.
ZnO(s) + 2KOH(aq) + H2O(l) -> K2Zn(OH) 4(aq)
Ionic equation
ZnO(s) + 2OH-(aq) + H2O(l) -> 2[Zn(OH) 4]2- (aq)
(i) when reacting with nitric(V)acid, the hydroxide shows basic properties. It
reacts with an acid to form a simple salt and water only.
Basic hydroxide + Acid -> salt + water
Examples:
Chemical equation
Zn(OH) 2 (s) + 2HNO3(aq) -> Zn(NO3) 2 (aq) + 2H2O(l)
Zn(OH) 2 (s) + 2HCl(aq) -> ZnCl2 (aq) + 2H2O(l)
Zn(OH) 2 (s) + H2SO4(aq) -> ZnSO4 (aq) + 2H2O(l)
Ionic equation
Zn(OH) 2 (s) + 2H+ (aq) -> Zn 2+ (aq) + 2H2O(l)
(ii) when reacting with sodium hydroxide, the hydroxide shows acidic properties
by reacting with a base to form a complex salt.
2.When Zinc hydroxide is reacted with potassium hydroxide the complex salt is
potassium tetrahydroxozincate(II) complex salt.
(i) when reacting with nitric(V)acid, the oxide shows basic properties by
reacting with an acid to form a simple salt and water only. All other Lead salts are
insoluble.
Chemical equation
PbO(s) + 2HNO3(aq) -> Pb(NO3) 2 (aq) + H2O(l)
Ionic equation
PbO(s) + 2H+ (aq) -> Pb 2+ (aq) + H2O(l)
(ii) when reacting with sodium hydroxide, the oxide shows acidic properties by
reacting with a base to form a complex salt.
Chemical equation
1.When Lead(II) oxide is reacted with sodium hydroxide the complex salt is
sodium tetrahydroxoplumbate(II) complex salt.
PbO(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + H2O(l) -> Na2Pb(OH) 4(aq)
2.When Lead(II) oxide is reacted with potassium hydroxide the complex salt is
potassium tetrahydroxoplumbate(II) complex salt.
PbO(s) + 2KOH(aq) + H2O(l) -> K2Pb(OH) 4(aq)
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Ionic equation
PbO(s) + 2OH-(aq) + H2O(l) -> 2[Pb(OH) 4]2- (aq)
(i) when reacting with nitric(V)acid, the hydroxide shows basic properties. It
reacts with the acid to form a simple salt and water only.
Chemical equation
Pb(OH) 2 (s) + 2HNO3(aq) -> Pb(NO3) 2 (aq) + 2H2O(l)
Ionic equation
Pb(OH) 2 (s) + 2H+ (aq) -> Pb 2+ (aq) + 2H2O(l)
(ii) when reacting with sodium hydroxide, the hydroxide shows acidic properties.
It reacts with a base to form a complex salt.
Chemical equation
1.When Lead(II) hydroxide is reacted with sodium hydroxide the complex salt is
sodium tetrahydroxoplumbate(II) complex salt.
2.When Lead(II) hydroxide is reacted with potassium hydroxide the complex salt
is potassium tetrahydroxoplumbate(II) complex salt.
Ionic equation
Pb(OH) 2 (s) + 2OH-(aq) -> 2[Pb(OH) 4]2- (aq)
(ii) when reacting with sodium hydroxide, the oxide shows acidic properties by
reacting with a base to form a complex salt.
Chemical equation
1.When Aluminium(III) oxide is reacted with sodium hydroxide the complex salt
is sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate(III) complex salt.
Al2O3 (s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O(l) -> 2NaAl(OH) 4(aq)
2.When Aluminium(III) oxide is reacted with potassium hydroxide the complex
salt is potassium tetrahydroxoaluminate(II) complex salt.
Al2O3 (s) + 2KOH(aq) + 3H2O(l) -> 2NaAl(OH) 4(aq)
Ionic equation
Al2O3 (s) + 2OH-(aq) + 3H2O(l) -> 2[Al(OH) 4]- (aq)
(ii)When Aluminium(III)hydroxide is placed in a boiling tube containing 10cm3 of
either 2M nitric(V)acid or 2M sodium hydroxide hydroxide solution, it dissolves
on both the acid and the alkali/base to form a colourless solution. i.e.
(i) when reacting with nitric(V)acid, the hydroxide shows basic properties. It
reacts with the acid to form a simple salt and water only.
Chemical equation
Al(OH) 3 (s) + 3HNO3(aq) -> Al(NO3)3 (aq) + 3H2O(l)
Al(OH)3 (s) + 3HCl(aq) -> AlCl3 (aq) + 3H2O(l)
2Al(OH)3 (s) + 3H2SO4(aq) -> Al2(SO4)3 (aq) + 3H2O(l)
Ionic equation
Al(OH)3 (s) + 3H+ (aq) -> Al 3+ (aq) + 3H2O(l)
Ionic equation
Al(OH) 3 (s) + OH-(aq) -> [Al(OH) 4]- (aq)
12.(a) A salt is an ionic compound formed when the cation from a base combine
with the anion derived from an acid.
A salt is therefore formed when the hydrogen ions in an acid are replaced
wholly/fully or partially/partly ,directly or indirectly by a metal or ammonium
radical.
Hydrogen
diphosphate(V)
(HP2O42-)
+ -
NaOH Na HCl Cl NaCl Sodium(I)chloride
2+ 2-
Mg(OH)2 Mg H2SO4 SO4 MgSO4 Magnesium sulphate(VI)
Mg(HSO4)2 Magnesium hydrogen
sulphate(VI)
2+ -
Pb(OH)2 Pb HNO3 NO3 Pb(NO3)2 Lead(II)nitrate(V)
2+ -
Ba(OH)2 Ba HNO3 NO3 Ba(NO3)2 Barium(II)nitrate(V)
2+ 2-
Ca(OH)2 Ba H2SO4 SO4 MgSO4 Calcium sulphate(VI)
+ 3-
NH4OH NH4 H3PO4 PO4 (NH4 )3PO4 Ammonium phosphate(V)
(NH4 )2HPO4 Diammonium phosphate(V)
Ammonium diphosphate(V)
NH4 H2PO4
+ 3-
KOH K H3PO4 PO4 K3PO4 Potassium phosphate(V)
3+ 2-
Al(OH)3 Al H2SO4 SO4 Al2(SO4)2 Aluminium(III)sulphate(VI)
2+ 2-
Fe(OH)2 Fe H2SO4 SO4 FeSO4 Iron(II)sulphate(VI)
3+ 2-
Fe(OH)3 Fe H2SO4 SO4 Fe2(SO4)2 Iron(III)sulphate(VI)
(f)Some salts exist as a simple salt while some as complex salts. Below are some
complex salts.
Table of some complex salts
Name of complex salt Chemical formula Colour of the complex salt
Tetraamminecopper(II)sulphate(VI) Cu(NH3) 4 SO4 H2O Royal/deep blue solution
Tetraamminezinc(II)nitrate(V) Zn(NH3) 4 (NO3 )2 Colourless solution
Tetraamminecopper(II) nitrate(V) Cu(NH3) 4 (NO3 )2 Royal/deep blue solution
Tetraamminezinc(II)sulphate(VI) Zn(NH3) 4 SO4 Colourless solution
(g)Some salts exist as two salts in one. They are called double salts.
13 Salts can be prepared in a school laboratory by a method that uses its solubility
in water.
(a) Soluble salts may be prepared by using any of the following methods:
Some salts once formed undergo sublimation and hydrolysis. Care should be
taken to avoid water/moisture into the reaction flask during their preparation.Such
salts include aluminium(III)chloride(AlCl3) and iron (III)chloride(FeCl3)
(b)Insoluble salts can be prepared by reacting two suitable soluble salts to form
one soluble and one insoluble. This is called double decomposition or
precipitation. The mixture is filtered and the residue is washed with distilled
water then dried.
CuSO4(aq) + Na2CO3 (aq) -> CuCO3 (s) + Na2 SO4(aq)
BaCl2(aq) + K2SO4 (aq) -> BaSO4 (s) + 2KCl (aq)
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + K2SO4 (aq) -> PbSO4 (s) + 2KNO3 (aq)
2AgNO3(aq) + MgCl2 (aq) -> 2AgCl(s) + Mg(NO3)2 (aq)
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + (NH4) 2SO4 (aq) -> PbSO4 (s) + 2NH4NO 3(aq)
BaCl2(aq) + K2SO3 (aq) -> BaSO3 (s) + 2KCl (aq)
14. Salts may lose their water of crystallization , decompose ,melt or sublime on
heating on a Bunsen burner flame.
The following shows the behavior of some salts on heating gently /or strongly in a
laboratory school burner:
(ii)Heavy metal nitrates(V) salts decompose on heating to form the oxide and a
mixture of brown acidic nitrogen(IV)oxide and oxygen gases. e.g.
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2Ca(NO3)2 (s) -> 2CaO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
2Mg(NO3)2(s) -> 2MgO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
2Zn(NO3)2(s) -> 2ZnO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
2Pb(NO3)2(s) -> 2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
2Cu(NO3)2(s) -> 2CuO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
2Fe(NO3)2(s) -> 2FeO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
No white Na+ and K+ Both Na+ and K+ ions react with OH- from 2M
precipitate sodium hydroxide solution to form soluble
colourless solutions
White precipitate Ba2+ ,Ca2+, Ba2+ ,Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions react with OH- from
insoluble in Mg2+ ions 2M sodium hydroxide solution to form insoluble
excess white precipitate of their hydroxides.
White precipitate Zn2+ ,Pb2+, Pb2+ ,Zn2+ and Al3+ ions react with OH- from
soluble in excess Al3+ ions 2M sodium hydroxide solution to form insoluble
white precipitate of their hydroxides.
Aqueous ammonia precipitating reagent that can be used to identify the cations
present in a salt.
Like NaOH/KOH the OH- ion in NH4OH react with the cation to form a
characteristic hydroxide .
Below are the observations ,inferences and explanations of the reactions of
aqueous ammonia with salts from the following test tube reactions.
Procedure
Put about 2cm3 of MgCl2, CaCl2, AlCl3, NaCl, KCl, FeSO4, Fe2(SO4) 3, CuSO4,
ZnSO4NH4NO3, Pb(NO3) 2, Ba(NO3) 2 each into separate test tubes.
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Add three drops of 2M aqueous ammonia then excess (2/3 the length of a standard
test tube).
No white Na+ and K+ NH4+,Na+ and K+ ions react with OH- from 2M
precipitate aqueous ammonia to form soluble colourless
solutions
NH4+ (aq) + OH-(aq) -> NH4+OH(aq)
Na+(aq) + OH-(aq) -> NaOH(aq)
K+(aq) + OH-(aq) -> KOH(aq)
White precipitate Ba2+ ,Ca2+, Ba2+ ,Ca2+,Mg2+ ,Pb2+ and Al3+, ions react with
insoluble in Mg2+ ,Pb2+, OH- from 2M aqueous ammonia to form
excess Al3+, ions insoluble white precipitate of their hydroxides.
Note
(i) Only Zn2+ ions/salts form a white precipitate that dissolve in excess of both
2M sodium hydroxide and 2M aqueous ammonia.
(ii) Pb2+ and Al3+ ions/salts form a white precipitate that dissolve in excess of 2M
sodium hydroxide but not in 2M aqueous ammonia.
(iii) Cu2+ ions/salts form a blue precipitate that dissolve to form a deep/royal
blue solution in excess of 2M aqueous ammonia but only blue insoluble
precipitate in 2M sodium hydroxide
All chlorides are soluble in water except Silver chloride and Lead (II)chloride
(That dissolve in hot water).When a soluble chloride like NaCl, KCl, NH4Cl is
added to about 2cm3 of a salt containing Ag+ or Pb2+ions a white precipitate of
AgCl or PbCl2 is formed. The following test tube reactions illustrate the above.
Experiment
Put about 2cm3 of silver nitrate(V) andLead(II)nitrate(V)solution into separate test
tubes. Add five drops of NaCl /KCl / NH4Cl/HCl. Heat to boil.
(i)White precipitate Ag+ ions Ag+ ions reacts with Cl- ions from a
does not dissolve on soluble chloride salt to form a white
heating precipitate of AgCl
(ii)White precipitate Pb2+ ions Pb2+ ions reacts with Cl- ions from a
dissolve on heating soluble chloride salt to form a white
precipitate of PbCl2. PbCl2 dissolves
on heating.
Note
Both Pb2+ and Al3+ ions forms an insoluble white precipitate in excess aqueous
ammonia. A white precipitate on adding Cl- ions/salts shows Pb2+.
No white precipitate on adding Cl- ions/salts shows Al3+.
Adding a chloride/ Cl- ions/salts can thus be used to separate the identity of Al3+
and Pb2+.
(d)Reaction of cation with sulphate(VI)/SO42- and sulphate(IV)/SO32- ions
All sulphate(VI) and sulphate(IV)/SO32- ions/salts are soluble/dissolve in water
except Calcium sulphate(VI)/CaSO4, Calcium sulphate(IV)/CaSO3, Barium
sulphate(VI)/BaSO4, Barium sulphate(IV)/BaSO3, Lead(II) sulphate(VI)/PbSO4
and Lead(II) sulphate(IV)/PbSO3.When a soluble sulphate(VI)/SO42- salt like
Na2SO4, H2SO4, (NH4)2SO4 or Na2SO3 is added to a salt containing Ca2+, Pb2+,
Ba2+ ions, a white precipitate is formed.
The following test tube experiments illustrate the above.
Procedure
Place about 2cm3 of Ca(NO3)2, Ba(NO3)2, BaCl2 and Pb(NO3)2, in separate
boiling tubes. Add six drops of sulphuric(VI)acid /sodium sulphate(VI)/ammonium
sulphate(VI)solution. Repeat with six drops of sodium sulphate(IV).
Observation Inference Explanation
White Ca2+, Ba2+, CaSO3 and CaSO4 do not form a thick precipitate as
precipitate Pb2+ ions they are sparingly soluble.
Ca2+(aq)+ SO32-(aq) -> CaSO3(s)
Ca2+(aq)+ SO42-(aq) -> CaSO4(s)
Ba2+(aq)+ SO32-(aq) -> BaSO3(s)
Ba2+(aq)+ SO42-(aq) -> BaSO4(s)
Procedure
Place about 2cm3 of Ca(NO3)2, Ba(NO3)2, MgCl2 ,Pb(NO3)2 andZnSO4 in separate
boiling tubes.
Add six drops of Potassium /sodium carbonate(IV)/ ammonium carbonate
(IV)solution.
(c)Place all the remaining portion of the solid in a test tube .Add about 10cm3 of
distilled water. Shake thoroughly. Divide the mixture into five portions.
(i)To the first portion, add three drops of sodium hydroxide then add excess of the
alkali.
(ii)To the second portion, add three drops of aqueous ammonia then add excess of
the alkali.
II.To the portion in (iv) I above , add five drops of dilute hydrochloric acid.
Note that:
(i)From test above, it can be deduced that solid Y is hydrated
aluminium(III)sulphate(VI) solid
(ii)Any ion inferred from an observation below must be derived from previous
correct observation and inferences above. e.g.
Al3+ in c(iii) must be correctly inferred in either/or in c(ii) or c(i)above
SO42- in c(iv)III must be correctly inferred in either/or in c(iv)II or c(iv)I
above
Sample solutions of salt were labeled as I,II, III and IV. The actual solutions,
not in that order are lead nitrate, zinc sulphate potassium chloride and
calcium chloride.
Identify solution I
For some salts, on heating, more of the salt/solid/solute dissolve in the saturated
solution to form a super saturated solution.
The solubility of a salt is thus calculated from the formula
Practice examples
(a)Calculate the solubility of potassium nitrate(V) if 5.0 g of the salt is
dissolved in 50.0cm3 of water.
Solubility = Mass of solute/salt/solid x 100 =>( 5.0 x 100 ) = 10.0 g /100g H2O
Mass/volume of water/solvent 50.0
Solubility = Mass of solute/salt/solid x 100 =>( 50.0 x 100 ) = 20.0 g /100g H2O
Mass/volume of water/solvent 250.0
KNO3
KClO3
/100g A
unsaturated solution of KClO3
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B KClO3 NaCl
KClO3
Note:
(i)solubility of KNO3 and KClO3 increase with increase in temperature.
(ii)solubility of KNO3 is always higher than that of KClO3 at any specified
temperature.
(iii)solubility of NaCl decrease with increase in temperature.
(iv)NaCl has the highest solubility at low temperature while KClO3 has the lowest
solubility at low temperature.
(v)At point A both NaCl and KNO3 are equally soluble.
(vi)At point B both NaCl and KClO3 are equally soluble.
(vii) An area above the solubility curve of the salt shows a saturated
/supersaturated solution.
(viii) An area below the solubility curve of the salt shows an unsaturated
solution.
19.(a) For salts whose solubility increases with increase in temperature, crystals
form when the salt solution at higher temperatures is cooled to a lower
temperature.
(b) For salts whose solubility decreases with increase in temperature, crystals
form when the salt solution at lower temperatures is heated to a higher
temperature.
The examples below shows determination of the mass of crystals deposited with
changes in temperature.
1.The solubility of KClO3 at 100oC is 60g/100g water .What mass of KClO3
will be deposited at:
2. KNO3 has a solubility of 42 g/100g water at 20oC.The salt was heated and
added 38g more of the solute which dissolved at100oC. Calculate the solubility
of KNO3 at 100oC.
Solubility of KNO3 at 100oC = solubility at 20oC + mass of KNO3 added
=> 42g + 38g = 80g KNO3 /100g H2O
(d)How many moles of water are present in the hydrate for every one mole of
K2CO3 ? (H=1.0.O= 16.0)
Solubility of A 28.0 31.0 34.0 37.0 40.0 43.0 45.0 48.0 51.0
Solubility of B 13.0 21.0 32.0 46.0 64.0 85.0 110.0 138.0 169.0
(a)On the same axis plot a graph of solubility (y-axis) against temperature for
each salt.
(b)At what temperature are the two salts equally soluble.
The point of intersection of the two curves = 24oC
(c)What happens when a mixture of 100g of salt B with 100g if water is heated
to 80oC
From the graph, the solubility of B at 80oC is 169g /100g water. All the 100g
crystals of B dissolve.
(d)What happens when the mixture in (c) above is then cooled from 50oC to
20oC.
Method I.
Total mass before cooling at 50oC = 100.0 g
o
(From graph) Solubility/mass after cooling at 20 C = 32.0 g
Mass of crystals deposited 68.0 g
Method II.
Mass of soluble salt crystals at 50oC added = 100 g
(From graph)Solubility/mass before cooling at 50oC = 85.0 g
Mass of crystals that cannot dissolve at 50oC 15.0 g
(e)A mixture of 40g of A and 60g of B is added to 10g of water and heated to
70oC.The solution is then allowed to cool to 10oC.Describe clearly what
happens.
I.For salt A
I.For salt B
Solubility of B before heating = mass of B x 100
Volume of water added
=> 60 x 100 = 600g/100g Water
10
8. When 5.0 g of potassium chlorate (V) was put in 10cm3 of water and
heated, the solid dissolves. When the solution was cooled , the temperature at
which crystals reappear was noted. Another 10cm3 of water was added and
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the mixture heated to dissolve then cooled for the crystals to reappear .The
table below shows the the results obtained
I.10g/100g water
From a well plotted graph = 38.0 oC
II.45g/100g water
From a well plotted graph = 77.5 oC
Chemical equation
2Na2CO3.NaHCO3.2H2O(s) -> 3Na2CO3 (s) + CO2(g) + 5H2O(l)
Soda ash(Sodium carbonate) is then stored .It is called Magadi Soda. Magadi Soda
is used :
(i) make glass
(ii) for making soapless detergents
(iii) softening hard water.
(iv)
Common salt is colledcted at night because its solubility decreases with decrease in
temperature. It is used as salt lick/feed for animals.
Summary flow diagram showing the extraction of Soda ash from Trona
Carbon(IV) oxide
Crystals of sodium
Soda ash
chloride(At night)
Bagging Bagging
Na2CO3 (s)
NaCl(s)
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23.Extraction of common salt from Indian Ocean at Ngomeni in Kenya
Oceans are salty.They contain a variety of dissolved salts (about 77% being
sodium chloride).
During high tide ,water is collected into shallow pods and allowed to crystallize as
evaporation takes place.The pods are constructed in series to increase the rate of
evaporation.
At the final pod ,the crystals are scapped together,piled in a heap and washed with
brine (concentrated sodium chloride).
It contains MgCl2 and CaCl2 . MgCl2 and CaCl2are hygroscopic. They absorb
water from the atmosphere and form a solution.
This makes table salt damp/wet on exposure to the atmosphere.
24.Some water form lather easily with soap while others do not.
Water which form lather easily with soap is said to be “soft”
Water which do not form lather easily with soap is said to be “hard”
Hardness of water is caused by the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions.
Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions react with soap to form an insoluble grey /white
suspension/precipitate called Scum/ curd. Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in water come from
the water sources passing through rocks containing soluble salts of Ca2+ and Mg2+
e.g. Limestone or gypsum
There are two types of water hardness:
(a)temporary hardness of water
(b)permanent hardness of water
Chemical equation
2NH3 (aq) + Ca(HCO3) 2 (aq) -> (NH4) 2CO3(aq) + CaCO3 (s)
2NH3 (aq) + Mg(HCO3) 2 (aq) -> (NH4) 2CO3(aq) + MgCO3 (s)
(v)Use of ion-exchange permutit
This method involves packing a chamber with a resin made of insoluble complex
of sodium salt called sodium permutit.
The sodium permutit releases sodium ions that are exchanged with Mg2+ and Ca2+
ions in hard water making the water to be soft. i.e.
When all the Na+ ions in the resin is fully exchanged with Ca2+ and Ng2+ ions in
the permutit column ,it is said to be exhausted.
Brine /concentrated sodium chloride solution is passed through the permutit
column to regenerated /recharge the column again.
Chemical equation
H+(aq) + OH- (aq) -> H2O(l)
When exhausted the cation exchanger is regenerated by adding H+(aq) from
sulphuric(VI)acid/hydrochloric acid.
When exhausted the anion exchanger is regenerated by adding OH-(aq) from
sodium hydroxide.
Hardness of water:
(i)waste a lot of soap during washing before lather is formed.
(ii)causes stains/blemishes/marks on clothes/garments
(iii)causes fur on electric appliances like kettle ,boilers and pipes form
decomposition of carbonates on heating .This reduces their efficiency hence
more/higher cost of power/electricity.
In an experiment, soap solution was added to three separate samples of water. The
table below shows the volumes of soap solution required to form lather with
1000cm3 of each sample of water before and after boiling.
2.Study the scheme below and use it to aanswer the questions that
follow:
(v)white ppt P
Al(OH)3
(b)Write the ionic equation for the reaction for the formation of:
(i)white ppt L
Al3+(aq) + 3OH- (aq) -> Al(OH)3(s)
(v)white ppt P
Al3+(aq) + 3OH- (aq) -> Al(OH)3(s)
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