STUDY MATERIAL- CLASS X

ACIDS BASES AND SALTS

INDICATORS: Chemical indicator, any substance that gives a visible sign, usually by a

colour change, in the presence or absence of a threshold concentration of a chemical
species.

Examples of acid-base indicators include litmus paper, phenolphthalein, and red cabbage

juice etc.

The point at which an indicator changes colors are different for each chemical.

TYPES OF INDICATORS:

Based on occurrence indicators are categorized into two types:

1. Natural Indicators
2. Synthetic Indicators

NATURAL INDICATORS:

Indicators which are obtained naturally are called natural indicators, for example: Litmus, red
cabbage, turmeric, onion, vanilla, clove, etc.

OLFACTORY INDICATORS:

Nature gives us many substances which change their odour with acid and base.

Vanilla, cloves, onion, etc. are such substances which change their odour with an acid and base
are called olfactory indicators.

Generally vanilla, cloves and onion are used as olfactory indicators to detect acid or base.

Use of olfactory indicators insures the participation of visually impaired students in lab
activities equally.

SYNTHETIC INDICATORS:

Indicators which are made in laboratories are called synthetic indicators.

Phenolphthalein and methyl orange are two most common synthetic indicators used in
laboratory.

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CHECK YOUR SELF:
1. The colour of methyl orange turns red in acidic solution. (T/F)
2. The colour of caustic soda turns the pink when phenolphthalein is added. (T/F)
3. Phenolphthalein and methyl orange are_________ indicators.
4. Visually impaired students can use ____________to identify acids and bases.
5. ________________ is an example of natural indicator.

ACIDS AND BASES:

The Arrhenius theory of acids and bases states that

ACIDS: An acid generates H+ ions in a solution.

EXAMPLE: HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, CH3COOH, H3PO4,

BASES: A base produces an OH– ion in its solution.

EXAMPLE: NaOH, KOH, Ca (OH)2, Mg(OH)2,

DIFFRENCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AN ACIDS AND BASES:

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 PROPERTY ACIDS BASES

TASTE Sour Bitter and slippery to touch

SOLUBILITY IN WATER Soluble Few bases are soluble called alkali

CONDUCTION Good conductor Good conductor

LITMUS SOLUTION Change blue litmus red Change red litmus to blue

CORROSIVE Few are highly corrosive Corrosive

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ACIDS AND BASES:

1.REACTIONS OF ACIDS WITH METALS: When a metal reacts with an acid, it generally displaces
hydrogen from the acids. This leads to the evolution of hydrogen gas. The metals combine with
remaining part of acids to form a salt. For example, reaction of sulphuric acid with zinc.

H2SO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + H2
2.REACTIONS OF BASES WITH METALS
Alkalis (bases that are soluble in water) Strong bases react with the metal to produce salt and
hydrogen gas. For example, reaction of zinc with sodium hydroxide.

2 NaOH + Zn → Na2ZnO2 + H2
CHECKING HYDROGEN GAS:

Hydrogen gas can be checked by bringing burning matchstick near test tube, it will be burn with
POP sound.

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3.THE REACTION OF METAL CARBONATES/ METAL BICARBONATES WITH ACIDS: Metal
carbonates/metal bicarbonates react with acids to produce salt, carbon dioxide and water.
For example, the reaction of sodium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate with hydrochloric acid.

Na2CO3 + HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2

TO CHECK CARBONDIOXIDE GAS:

Pass the gas through lime water Ca (OH)2, lime water turns milky.

Ca (OH)2 + CO2+ H2O CaCO3 (s)

On passing carbon dioxide in excess milkyness disappear
CaCo3(s) + H2O(l)+ CO2 (g)  Ca (HCO3)2 (aq)
(Soluble in water)

LIMESTONE, CHALK AND MARBLE ARE DIFFERENT FORMS OF CALCIUM CARBONATE

4.THE REACTION BETWEEN ACIDS AND BASES: The reaction between acids and bases to give
salts is known as neutralization reactions.
For example, the reaction of sodium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid.

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

5.THE REACTION OF METAL OXIDE WITH ACIDS: Metal oxides react with acids to produce salt
and water. Since metallic oxides react with acids to give salts and water, similar to the reaction
of a base with an acid, metallic oxides are said to be BASIC OXIDES.
For example, reaction of copper oxide and dilute hydrochloric acid.

CuO + 2HCl → CuCl2 + H2
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6.THE REACTION OF NON-METAL OXIDE WITH BASES: Nonmetal oxides react with bases to
produce salt and water.
For example, the reaction of carbon dioxide and lime water (calcium hydroxide) give calcium
carbonate.

CO2 + Ca (OH)2 → CaCO3 + H2O
Calcium hydroxide, which is a base, reacts with carbon dioxide to produce a salt and water.
Since this is similar to the reaction between a base and an acid, we can conclude that
nonmetallic oxides are ACIDIC IN NATURE.

PROPERTY ACIDS BASES

Reaction with metals Liberate hydrogen gas as per Few bases react to liberate
reactivity series hydrogen gas (Zn, Al)
Reaction with carbonates Liberate carbon dioxide gas. No reaction
Acids with bases Give salt and water
LET’S PRACTICE:
1. What happen when an acid react with metal? Name the gas liberated.
2. Name a metal react with sodium hydroxide. Write equation for the same.
3. Which gas is released when acids react with carbonates? How will you check the
presence of gas?
4. 4Justify metal oxides are basic in nature .Write equation.
COMMON PROPERTIES OF ACIDS AND BASES:
Acids produce H+ ions when dissolved in water.
H+ ions cannot exist alone. They combine with water molecule (H 2O) to form H3O+ (hydronium
ions).
 It is a highly exothermic reaction.
Acids when dissolved in water release large amount of heat. If water is added to concentrated
acid, then the heat generated may cause the mixture to splash out and cause burns.
Hence to avoid burns ACID MUST BE ADDED DROP WISE INTO WATER WITH CONSTANT
STIRRING. So that the heat generated spreads over in water.
Strong acids → release more H+ ions → HCl
Weak acids → releases less number of H+ ions → acetic acid

Bases: when dissolved in water releases OH– ions

e.g., NaOH and KOH.
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Bases in water → Bases produce OH– ions when dissolved in water.
Bases soluble in water are called alkalis.
 It is a exothermic reaction.
Strong base → give more OH– ions → NaOH
Weak base → gives less OH– ions → NH4(OH)

NaOH + H2O  Na+ + OH-

 Acids and Bases when dissolved in water coduct electricity due to iones.
 Bases which are soluble in water are called alkalis.

DILUTION: Mixing an acid or base with water results in decrease in the concentration of ions
(H3O+/OH–) per unit volume. Such a process is called dilution and the acid or the base is said to
be diluted.
CLASSIFICATION OF ACIDS:
1.ON THE BASIS OF ORIGIN, ACIDS ARE CLASSIFIED AS
a. Organic acids: Acids derived from living organisms like plants and animals.
For example: citric acid is present in fruits, acetic acid present in vinegar, oxalic acid present in
tomato, tartaric acid present in tamarind, lactic acid present in sour milk and curd.
b. Mineral acids: They are also called inorganic acids. They are dangerous Example sulphuric
acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl) etc  

2.ON THE BASIS OF THEIR STRENGTH, ACIDS ARE CLASSIFIED AS

a. Strong acids: Completely dissociate into its ions in aqueous solutions.
Example: Nitric acid (HNO3), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl).
b. Weak acids: Weak acids are those acids which do not completely dissociate into
its ions in aqueous solutions. For example: carbonic acid (H2CO3), acetic acid (CH3COOH).
 

3. ON THE BASIS OF THEIR CONCENTRATION, ACIDS ARE CLASSIFIED AS

a. Dilute acids: Have a low concentration of acids in aqueous solutions.
b. Concentrated acids: Have a high concentration of acids in aqueous solutions.

  4.  ON THE BASIS OF NUMBER OF HYDROGEN ION, ACIDS CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS

Monoprotic acid – Such type of acid produces one mole of H+ ions per mole of acid, e.g., HCl
Diprotic acid – They can produce two moles of H+ ions per mole of acid, e.g., H2SO4.
Triprotic acid – They produce three moles of H + ions per mole of acid, e.g., H 3PO4.
Polyprotic – They can produce more than three H+ ions per mole of acid.

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CLASSIFICATION OF BASES:

1.ON THE BASIS OF THEIR STRENGTH, BASES ARE CLASSIFIED AS:

a. Strong bases: Strong bases are those bases which completely dissociate into its ions in
aqueous solutions. Example: sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH).
b. Weak bases: Weak bases are those bases which do not completely dissociate into its ions in
aqueous solutions. For example: ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH).

  2. ON THE BASIS OF THEIR CONCENTRATION, BASES ARE CLASSIFIED AS

a. Dilute bases: Have a low concentration of alkali in aqueous solutions.
b. Concentrated bases: Have a high concentration of alkali in aqueous solutions.
pH:
To quantitatively find the amount of H+/OH- ions present in a solution. We can use universal
indicator, which is a mixture of several indicators.
The universal indicator shows different colours at different concentrations of hydrogen ions in a
solution.
A scale for measuring hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, called pH scale.

 The p in pH stands for ‘potenz’ in German, meaning power.

 On the pH scale we can measure pH from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline).
 pH should be thought of simply as a number which indicates the acidic or basic nature of
a solution. Values less than 7 on the pH scale represent an acidic solution
 Higher the hydronium ion concentration, lower is the pH value.
 The pH of a neutral solution is 7.
 As the pH value increases from 7 to 14, it represents an increase in OH– ion
concentration in the solution, that is, increase in the strength of alkali.
 The strength of acids and bases depends on the number of H+ ions and OH– ions
produced, respectively.

 For acidic solution: [H3O+] > [OH–]

 For neutral solution: [H3O+] = [OH–]
 For basic solution: [H3O+] < [OH–]

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IMPORTANCE OF pH IN EVERYDAY LIFE

1. Our body works within the pH range of 7.0 to 7.8. Living organisms can survive only in a
narrow range of pH change.
2. pH in our digestive system is acidic as our stomach produces hydrochloric acid. It helps
in the digestion of food without harming the stomach. During indigestion the stomach
produces too much acid and this causes pain and irritation. To get rid of this pain,
people use bases called antacids. These antacids neutralise the excess acid. Magnesium
hydroxide (Milk of magnesia), a mild base, is often used for this purpose.
3. Tooth decay starts when the pH of the mouth is lower than 5.5. Tooth enamel made up
of calcium phosphate is the hardest substance in the body. It does not dissolve in water
but is corroded when the pH in the mouth is below 5.5. Bacteria present in the mouth
produce acids by degradation of sugar and food particles remaining in the mouth after
eating.
The best way to prevent this is to clean the mouth after eating food. Using toothpastes,
which are generally basic, for cleaning the teeth can neutralise the excess acid and
prevent tooth decay.
4. Bee-sting leaves an acid which causes pain and irritation. Use of a mild base like baking
soda on the stung area gives relief.
5. Stinging hair of nettle leaves inject methanoic acid causing burning pain. Nettle is a
herbaceous plant which grows in the wild. Its leaves have stinging hair, which cause
painful stings when touched accidentally. This is due to the methanoic acid secreted by
them. A traditional remedy is rubbing the area with the leaf of the dock plant, which
often grows beside the nettle in the wild, is basic in nature.
6. When pH of rain water is less than 5.6, it is called acid rain. When acid rain flows into
the rivers, it lowers the pH of the river water. The survival of aquatic life in such rivers
becomes difficult.
7. Plants require a specific pH range for their healthy growth. It is important to know the
pH of soil before growing plants.
REVISION:

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 1. An acid that contains more than one acidic hydrogen atom is called a ________ .
2. When an acid reacts with a metal, _______ gas is evolved and a corresponding
________ is formed.
3. When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate, it gives the
corresponding salt, ________ gas and _________.
4. All alkali are bases but all bases are ______ alkali.
5. Acids show their properties in the presence of …………….
6. Acidic nature of a substance is due to the formation of H+ (aq) ions in solution.
7. Mixing concentrated acids or bases with water is a highly endothermic process.
8. When acids react with metal oxide, salt and water is formed. (T/F)
9. Carbonic acid is a weak acid. (T/F)
10. Lime water is
(a) CaO    (b) Ca(OH)2    (c) CaCO3    (d) CaCI2

SALTS
A salt is a combination of an anion of an acid and a cation of a base.
Examples – KCl  K+ Cl-
NaNO  3 Na+ NO-3
CaSO ---
4 Ca+2 SO4

Salts are usually prepared by the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base.

CLASSIFICATION OF SALTS:
1. ON THE BASES OF FAMILY:
(a) SODIUM FAMILY:
NaCl, NaNO3, Na2SO4 Na2CO3, NaHCO3
(b) SULPHATE FAMILY
Na2SO4, K2SO4, CaSO4, MgSO4, ZnSO4
2. ON THE BASIS OF pH:
1.pH = 7. Example NaCl
A salt of a strong acid and a strong base will be neutral in nature (HCl + NaOH)
2.pH > 7. Eg CH3COONa
A salt of a weak acid and a strong base will be basic in nature.  (CH3COOH + NaOH)
3. pH < 7. Eg NH4Cl
A salt of a strong acid and a weak base will be acidic in nature. (HCl + NH4OH)
4. pH =7 Eg CH3COONH4
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The pH of a salt of a weak acid and a weak base will be neutral. (CH3COOH + NH4OH)
COMMON SALT:
The salt formed by the combination of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution is
called sodium chloride.
OCCURANCE:
1. Seawater contains many salts dissolved in it. Sodium chloride is separated from these
salts.
2. It is also found as large crystals, brown in colour due to impurities called as rock salt.
Beds of rock salt were formed when seas of bygone ages dried up. Rock salt is mined like
coal.
USES:
1. Salt is used in food.
2. It is an important raw material for various materials of daily use, such as sodium
hydroxide, baking soda, washing soda, bleaching powder and many more.

1.PREPARATION OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE

Chemical Formula – NaOH
Common Name – Caustic Soda
Preparation by (Chlor-Alkali process):
Electrolysis of brine (solution of common salt, NaCl) . Electricity is passed through saturated
solution of common salt.
At anode: Cl2 is released
At cathode: H2 is released
Sodium hydroxide remains in the solution near cathode

2NaCl(aq) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + Cl2(g) + H2(g)

. The process is called the chlor-alkali process because of the products formed– chlor for
chlorine and alkali for sodium hydroxide.

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 USES:

SODIUM HYDROXIDE: HYDROGEN:

1. In making of soaps 1. In making of fuels

2. In making of detergents 2. Margarine
3. In making of paper 3. In making of ammonia for fertilize
4. In making of artificial fibers
5. In de-greasing of metals, etc.

CHLORINE:

1. In water treatment
2. Mixed with swimming pool water
3. In making of PVC
4. In making of disinfectants
5. In making of CFCs
6. In making of pesticides

2.BLEACHING POWDER

Chemical Formula – CaOCl2

Chemical Name – Calcium Oxy Chloride
Preparation: Bleaching powder is produced by the action of chlorine on dry slaked lime
[Ca(OH)2].

Ca (OH)2(aq) + Cl2(g)→CaOCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

On interaction with water – bleaching powder releases chlorine which is responsible for
bleaching action.
USES:
1. For bleaching cotton and linen in the textile industry,

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 2. Bleaching wood pulp in paper factories.
3. Bleaching washed clothes in laundry.
4. As an oxidizing agent in many chemical industries.
5. For disinfecting drinking water to make it free of germs
3. BAKING SODA
Chemical Formula – NaHCO3
Chemical Name – Sodium hydrogen carbonate
Preparation (Solvay process) – 
a. Limestone is heated: CaCO3→CaO+CO2
b. CO2 gas is passed through a concentrated solution of sodium chloride (Brine) and
ammonia.

NaCl(aq)+NH3(g)+CO2(g)+H2O(l)→NaHCO3(aq)+NH4Cl(aq)
USES:
1.For making baking powder, which is used in baking industry.
BAKING POWDER: It is a mixture of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) and a
mild edible acid (tartaric acid).
When baking powder is heated or mixed in water, the following reaction takes place –
NaHCO3 + H+ → CO2 + H2O + Sodium salt of acid
Carbon dioxide produced during the reaction causes bread or cake to rise making them
soft and spongy.
Acid is added to neutralize the bitter taste of base.
2.It is an ingredient of antacids. Being alkaline, it neutralizes excess acid in the stomach
and provides relief.
3.It is also used in soda-acid fire extinguishers.
2NaHCO3 + H2SO4  Na2CO3 + 2CO2 + 2H2O

4.WASHING SODA
Chemical Formula – Na2CO3 . 10 H2O

Chemical Name – Sodium carbonate Deca hydrate

Preparation (Solvay process)
a. Limestone is heated: 
CaCO3→CaO+CO2
b. CO2 is passed through a concentrated solution of sodium chloride and ammonia:
NaCl(aq)+NH3(g)+CO2(g)+H2O(l)→NaHCO3(aq)+NH4Cl(aq)
c. Thermolysis: Heating of sodium hydrogen carbonate

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 2NaHCO3  Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
d. Recrystallization
Na2CO3 + 10 H2O  Na2CO3. 10 H2O
USES:
1.Glass, soap and paper industries
2. Softening permanent hardness of water
3. Domestic cleaner
4.Manufacturing of borax

5. PLASTER OF PARIS

Chemical Formula: CaSO4.1/2 H2O

Chemical Name: Calcium Sulphate Hemi Hydrate

Preparation:

Gypsum, CaSO4.2H2O (s) on heating at 100°C (373K) gives CaSO4. ½ H2O and 3/2 H2O

CaSO4.2H2O  CaSO4.1/2 H2O + ¾ H2O

CaSO4. ½ H2O is plaster of Paris.
CaSO4. ½ H2O means two formula units of CaSO4 share one molecule of water.
. Plaster of Paris is a white powder and on mixing with water, it changes to gypsum once
again giving a hard-solid mass.
CaSO4.1/2 H2O + 3/4H2O  CaSO4.2H2O

USES:
1. Cast for healing fractures.
2. Used for making toys,
3. It is a material for decoration
4. For making surfaces smooth.
WATER OF CRYSTALLISATION is the fixed number of water molecules present in one
formula unit of a salt.
Example: Copper Sulphate Cu SO4. 5H2O.
Gypsum: CaSO4.2H2O

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 Ferrous Sulphate: FeSO4.7 H2O
LET’S REVISE:
1. What happen when electricity is passed through brine. Write chemical equation.
2. Where would you collect NaOH in chlor alkali process.
3. Write chemical reaction for the preparation of bleaching powder.
4. Why POP should be stored in airtight containers?
5. Explain recrystallisation with example of washing soda?
6. Differentiate between baking powder and baking soda.

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