Acids, Bases and Salts

1/2/22, 12:44 PM Acids, Bases and Salts
Acids and Bases

Acids
Acids are substances that taste sour and are corrosive in nature.

It turns blue litmus paper to red.
These substances are chemically acidic in nature.E.g.:-orange juice, curd, vinegar,
hydrochloric acid etc.
Bases
Bases are substances that, in aqueous solution, are slippery to the touch and bitter in
taste.
It turns red litmus paper to blue.
These substances are chemically basic in nature. Eg:- soap, ammonium hydroxide,
calcium hydroxide, etc
Neutralisation Reaction
When an acid and base react with each other to form a salt, water and heat then such
reaction is known as neutralisation reaction.
https://learn.byjus.com/revision-summaries/22474 1/6
In this reaction, the acidic and basic nature of the acid and base respectively are
destroyed.
The reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide is a classic
neutralisation reaction where sodium chloride is formed.
H Cl + N aOH → N aCl(salt) + H2 O

Salts
Salts
Salt is the product formed from the neutralisation reaction of acids and bases.
In the reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide the salt formed is
sodium chloride.
H Cl + N aOH → N aCl + H2 O
Salt can be acidic, basic or neutral in nature.
Visual Indicators
Indicators
Substances which are used to test whether a substance is acidic or basic are called
indicators.
Acidic Solution Basic Solution
Red litmus No change Turns blue
Blue litmus Turns red No change
Natural Indicators
Plants or plant parts contain useful chemicals that are used for testing an acidic or
basic property of a solution are termed as natural indicators. China Rose and turmeric
are examples of natural indicators.
Litmus
Litmus is a naturally occurring purple indicator which is extracted from lichens.

When added to an acidic solution, it turns red and when added to a basic solution, it
turns blue.
It is available in the form of a solution or as strips of paper known as litmus paper.
(A) Red litmus turns blue indicating a basic solution

(B) Blue litmus turns red indicating an acidic solution
Phenolphthalein
Phenolphthalein is an acid-base indicator which is colourless in acid solution but turns

pink to red as the solution becomes alkaline.
It is a synthetic indicator and is used for the neutralisation experiment.
Phenolphthalein indication with variation of pH
Olfactory Indicators
Olfactory indicators are substances whose smell changes whether they are mixed with
an acidic or a basic solution.
Onion, clove oil and vanilla extract are examples of such indicators.
Visual Indicators
Visual Indicators are substances used to show visually (as by a change in colour) the
condition of a solution with respect to the presence of a particular material (as a free
acid or base).
Common examples are litmus, red cabbage, phenolphthalein, etc
Neutralization
Neutralisation in Daily Life
During indigestion, taking milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) gives us relief as it

neutralizes the effect of excess acid produced inside the stomach.
The effect of ant sting which is caused by formic acid can be neutralized by rubbing
moist baking soda (basic in nature).
To ensure that plants can grow well, the soil is treated with either acids or bases
depending if it's basic or acidic in nature.
Factory wastes, generally being acidic in nature can cause environmental damage, are
treated with basic substances before discharge.
Recap of Concepts
Safety Measures While Using Acids
When diluting acids, pour the acid into the water, NOT water into acid as this may
cause spattering of the acid.
Safety gloves are to be worn whenever working with acids or bases.
Uses and Applications

pH of Soil
Excessive use of chemical fertilisers changes the pH of the soil.

Plants do not grow well when the soil is either too acidic or too basic.
Hence substances are added to bring the pH at a neutral level.
Uses of Acids and Bases
Food preservation - Citric acid.

Aerated drinks - Carbonic acid.
Baking powder - Tartaric acid.
Cooking - Acetic acid(vinegar)
Manufacture of soaps - Sodium hydroxide.
Manufacture of bleaching powder - Calcium hydroxide
As a foaming agent in fire extinguishers - Aluminium hydroxide.

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1/2/22, 12:44 PM Acids, Bases and Salts

Acids and Bases

Acids are substances that taste sour and are corrosive in nature.

Salt can be acidic, basic or neutral in nature.

Litmus is a naturally occurring purple indicator which is extracted from lichens.

(A) Red litmus turns blue indicating a basic solution

Phenolphthalein is an acid-base indicator which is colourless in acid solution but turns

Phenolphthalein indication with variation of pH

During indigestion, taking milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) gives us relief as it

Uses and Applications

Excessive use of chemical fertilisers changes the pH of the soil.

Uses of Acids and Bases

Food preservation - Citric acid.

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