Acid and Base
Acid and Base
Acid and Base
Base
In the realm of chemistry, acids are the troublemakers and bases are the peacekeepers
and
salt
Acid, Base and Salt
CONTENTS
PH SCALE 5
PH OF SALT 7
SALT 11
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Acid, Base and Salt
PASTER OF PARISE 12
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Acid, Base and Salt
When acid reacts with metal it forms salt and hydrogen gas.
2HCL + Zn ZnCl2 + H2
Zink Chloride
In this reaction, Zinc reacts with Hydrochloric acid to form zinc chloride and
hydrogen gas
2HCl+MgMgCl2+H2
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Acid, Base and Salt
H2SO4 + Fe FeSO4 + H2
Example,
2HCl+CaCO3CaCl2+CO2 + H2O
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacting with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) found in baking
soda: H2SO4+Na2CO3Na2SO4+H2O+CO2
2HNO3+K2CO32KNO3+H2O + CO2
For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with hydrogen carbonate
(HCO-3) produces Cl-, carbon dioxide and water
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Acid, Base and Salt
HCL+ H2O H3O++Cl
For example, let's consider the reaction of sodium hydroxide NaOH with water:
In this reaction, sodium hydroxide dissociates into sodium ions Na + and hydroxide
ions (OH-), while water acts as a proton acceptor and forms hydroxide ions. The
sodium ions (Na+) remain dissolved in the solution.
The resulting solution will be basic due to the presence of hydroxide ions. The pH
of the solution will increase because of the concentration of hydroxide ions. The
stronger the base, the more hydroxide ions will be produced, leading to a higher
pH.
PH SCALE
The pH scale is a measure used to specify the acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of a
solution. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being considered neutral. pH values below 7
indicate acidity, while pH values above 7 indicate alkalinity. The pH scale is
logarithmic, meaning that each whole pH value below 7 is ten times more acidic than
the next higher value. For example, a pH of 4 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 5,
and a pH of 3 is one hundred times more acidic than a pH of 5.
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Acid, Base and Salt
pH 7: Neutral - Solutions with a pH of 7 are considered neutral. Pure
water at 25°C has a pH very close to 7.
Fig – pH Scale
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Acid, Base and Salt
PH OF SALT
This is because both the cation (from the base) and the anion (from the acid) do not
undergo any significant hydrolysis and do not affect the pH of the solution.
o The basic nature is due to the hydrolysis of the weakly acidic cation (e.g., Na+)
which reacts with water to produce OH− ions, thus increasing the pH of the
solution.
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Acid, Base and Salt
In this reaction, sodium acetate is the salt formed. When this salt is dissolved in water, it
undergoes hydrolysis:
The acetate ion (CH3COO-) reacts with water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-) and
acetic acid:
The net effect of this reaction is the production of hydroxide ions, making the solution
slightly basic.
So, in summary, salts of strong bases and weak acids typically produce solutions with a
pH higher than 7 due to the presence of hydroxide ions from the hydrolysis of the salt.
o This range varies depending on the specific organism, but for many, it falls
within the range of approximately 6.5 to 7.5.
Body pH Range:
o The human body, for example, operates within a pH range of about 7.0
to 7.8.
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Acid, Base and Salt
o Acid rain occurs when the pH of rainfall drops below 5.6 due to the
presence of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the
atmosphere.
o When acid rain flows into rivers and bodies of water, it lowers the pH of
the water, making it more acidic.
o As the pH of rivers and streams decreases due to acid rain, the survival
of aquatic life becomes increasingly difficult.
o Different plants have specific pH requirements for optimal growth and nutrient
uptake.
o Understanding the pH of the soil is essential for selecting suitable plants and
implementing appropriate soil amendments to ensure healthy plant growth.
o Hydrochloric acid helps break down food into smaller particles and aids in the
digestion of proteins.
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Acid, Base and Salt
o Sometimes, the stomach may produce an excessive amount of hydrochloric
acid, leading to conditions like indigestion.
o Excessive stomach acid can cause pain, irritation, and discomfort in the
stomach and esophagus.
Use of Antacids:
o Antacids are substances that help neutralize excess stomach acid, providing
relief from symptoms such as pain and irritation.
o They work by reacting with the excess acid to form water and a salt, effectively
reducing the acidity of the stomach contents.
o They are readily available over-the-counter and are generally safe for
occasional use.
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Acid, Base and Salt
o At this acidic pH, tooth enamel, which is primarily composed of calcium
hydroxyapatite, starts to corrode.
o While tooth enamel does not dissolve in water, it corrodes when exposed to
acidic conditions with a pH below 5.5.
o Bacteria present in the mouth produce acids through the degradation of sugars
and food particles left behind after eating.
Preventive Measures:
o Cleaning the mouth after eating is essential for preventing tooth decay.
o Using toothpaste, which is generally basic in nature, for cleaning teeth can help
neutralize excess acid in the mouth.
SALT
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Acid, Base and Salt
o Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is produced via the chlor-alkali process by
electrolyzing aqueous sodium chloride (brine).
o This process yields sodium hydroxide, chlorine gas (Cl2), and hydrogen gas
(H2) as products.
o It can neutralize acids due to its alkaline nature, making it effective in relieving
stomach acidity when used as an antacid.
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Acid, Base and Salt
o It finds use in the manufacture of glass, soap, paper, and other sodium
compounds.
o Washing soda serves as a cleaning agent, water softener, and can remove
permanent hardness from water.
Na2CO3+10H2ONa2CO3.10 H2O
PASTER OF PARISE
o Plaster of Paris appears as a white powder and can be mixed with water to form
gypsum again, creating a hard solid mass.
o In its chemical formula, only half a water molecule is represented (0.5H 2O),
indicating that two formula units of calcium sulphate share one water molecule.
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Acid, Base and Salt
For copper:
In both reactions, the acidic substance (such as hydrochloric acid, HCl, which is present in
sour foods) reacts with the copper or copper-zinc alloy, forming soluble copper chloride
(CuCl2) and hydrogen gas (H2). This results in the release of copper ions into the food or
liquid being stored in the vessel. These copper ions can be harmful if ingested in large
quantities. Additionally, in the case of brass, zinc chloride (ZnCl 2) is also formed as a
byproduct of the reaction.
2. Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal? Illustrate with an
example. How will you test for the presence of this gas?
Answer –
When an acid reacts with a metal, hydrogen gas (H2) is usually liberated. This is a common
reaction observed when metals like zinc, magnesium, or aluminium react with acids such as
hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
Here's an example of the reaction between hydrochloric acid and zinc metal:
In this reaction, zinc (Zn) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form zinc chloride (ZnCl 2)
and hydrogen gas (H2).
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Acid, Base and Salt
To test for the presence of hydrogen gas, you can perform the following test:
Collecting Gas: Place a small piece of metal (such as zinc) in a test tube and add an acid
(such as hydrochloric acid) to it. Cover the test tube with a stopper fitted with a delivery tube.
Ensure that the delivery tube is submerged in a container filled with water.
Observation: As the metal reacts with the acid, bubbles of gas will be evolved. These bubbles
are hydrogen gas.
Testing for Hydrogen: To confirm that the gas evolved is indeed hydrogen, bring a burning
splint near the open end of the delivery tube. Hydrogen gas burns with a 'pop' sound,
indicating its presence.
The overall chemical reaction for the test would be the same as the reaction between the
metal and the acid:
This reaction produces hydrogen gas, which is confirmed by the 'pop' sound when the gas is
ignited.
3. Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The
gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for
formed calcium chloride.
Answer Based on the given information, metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric
acid to produce effervescence, and the gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Since the
gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle, it indicates the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Given that the metal compound A reacts with hydrochloric acid to form calcium chloride
(CaCl2), we can infer that metal compound A is likely calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric
acid is:
CaCO3(s)+2HCl(aq)→CaCl2(aq)+CO2(g)+H2O(l)
This equation indicates that when calcium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid, it forms
calcium chloride, carbon dioxide gas, and water. The carbon dioxide gas evolved is
responsible for extinguishing the burning candle.
4. Why do HCl, HNO3, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions
of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic characters?
The difference lies in the ability of these substances to donate protons (H⁺ ions) in solution.
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Acid, Base and Salt
1. Strong Acids (HCl, HNO₃, etc.): Substances like hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid
(HNO₃) are strong acids. When dissolved in water, they dissociate completely into ions. For
example, HCl dissociates into H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. These H⁺ ions are what make the solution
acidic by increasing the concentration of H⁺ ions. This high concentration of H ⁺ ions leads to
a low pH, indicating acidity.
2. Weak Acids (Alcohols, Glucose, etc.): Compounds like alcohols (such as ethanol) and
glucose do contain hydrogen atoms, but they don't readily donate them as H ⁺ ions in water.
In the case of alcohols, for example, the hydrogen atoms are bonded to an oxygen atom,
which is not easily ionizable in water. Therefore, these substances do not significantly
increase the concentration of H⁺ ions in solution and thus do not exhibit acidic properties in
the same way as strong acids.
In summary, the ability of a substance to exhibit acidic properties in solution depends on its
ability to donate protons (H⁺ ions). Strong acids readily donate these ions, resulting in a low
pH and acidic behaviour, while weak acids do not donate protons as readily and therefore do
not exhibit significant acidic properties in aqueous solutions.
An aqueous solution of an acid conducts electricity because it contains ions that are free to
move and carry electric charge.
When hydrochloric acid (HCl) dissolves in water, it breaks down into ions: H⁺ and Cl⁻.
These ions give the solution its acidic properties. H⁺ ions carry a positive charge, while Cl⁻
ions are negatively charged.
If an electric potential is applied to the solution, the ions can move towards the oppositely
charged electrode. H⁺ ions move towards the cathode (negatively charged electrode), while
Cl⁻ ions move towards the anode (positively charged electrode). This movement of ions
generates an electric current.
As a result, an aqueous solution of an acid can conduct electricity because it contains mobile
ions. It's important to note that the conductivity of the solution depends on factors such as the
concentration of ions and the strength of the acid. Strong acids, which dissociate completely
into ions, generally produce solutions with higher conductivity compared to weak acids.
6. Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper?
Dry HCl gas does not change the color of dry litmus paper because it does not produce
hydrogen ions (H⁺) in the absence of water. Litmus paper changes color in response to the
presence of hydrogen ions (acidic conditions) or hydroxide ions (basic conditions) in
solution.
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Acid, Base and Salt
When HCl gas is dissolved in water, it forms hydrochloric acid (HCl(aq)), which dissociates
into H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. The presence of H⁺ ions turns the litmus paper red, indicating an acidic
solution.
However, in the absence of water, dry HCl gas does not dissociate into ions, so it does not
produce H⁺ ions. Therefore, it does not change the color of dry litmus paper.
In summary, dry HCl gas does not affect the color of dry litmus paper because it does not
produce hydrogen ions in the absence of water.
7. While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water
and not water to the acid?
When diluting acid, it is important to add the acid to water and not the other way around. This
is because when concentrated acid is added to water, the acid molecules are dispersed
throughout the water, and undergo dissociation, which releases heat. This process is
exothermic because energy is released when chemical bonds are formed between the acid
molecules and water molecules.
If water were added to the concentrated acid instead, it would create a localized region of
high acidity. When water is added, the rapid dilution can cause violent splattering, as the heat
generated from the exothermic reaction causes the water to boil suddenly. This splattering
can be dangerous, as the hot, concentrated acid may splash out of the container and cause
burns or other injuries.
By adding the acid to water slowly and with stirring, the heat generated is dissipated more
evenly throughout the larger volume of water, reducing the risk of splattering and ensuring
safer dilution.
In summary, adding acid to water is the safer method for diluting acids, as it minimizes the
risk of sudden boiling and splattering.
When an acid is added to water, a fixed number of hydronium ions per volume of the solution
is present. Dilution reduces the number of hydronium ions per volume and concentration.
9. How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH–) affected when excess base is
dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide?
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Acid, Base and Salt
NaOH → Na+ + OH-.
When the excess base is added to a solution of sodium hydroxide, more (OH-) ions are
introduced into the solution. As sodium hydroxide is a strong base and completely
dissociates, the concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution increases directly proportional
to the amount of excess base added. Therefore, the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) in
the solution increases when an excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide.
11. Name the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder.
The reaction is
Ca(OH)2+Cl2→Ca(ClO)2+H2O
12. Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water.
The reaction is
Na2CO3+Ca2+→CaCO3+2Na+
13. What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrocarbonate is heated? Give the equation
of the reaction involved.
The solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate on heating gives sodium carbonate and carbon
dioxide gas is evolved.
2NaHCO3→Na2CO3+H2O+CO2
14. Write an equation to show the reaction between the plaster of Paris and water.
(a) 1
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Acid, Base and Salt
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 10
Answer: (d) 10
16. A solution reacts with crushed egg-shells to give a gas that turns lime-water milky.
The solution contains
The solution likely contains an acid, which reacts with the calcium carbonate present in
crushed eggshells to produce carbon dioxide gas. This carbon dioxide gas, when passed
through lime water (which is a solution of calcium hydroxide), forms calcium carbonate,
which is insoluble and gives lime water a milky appearance.
So, the solution likely contains acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) that reacts with the
calcium carbonate in the eggshells. The overall reaction can be represented as follows:
CaCO3+2HCl→CaCl2+CO2+H2O
CaCO3+H2SO4→CaSO4+CO2+H2O
In both cases, the carbon dioxide gas produced turns lime-water milky due to the formation of
calcium carbonate. So write answer is HCL
10 ml NaOH 5
=
8 ml HCL 4
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Acid, Base and Salt
So, the ratio of volumes of NaOH to HCl is 5:4.
Now, if we take 20 mL of the same NaOH solution, we can find out how much HCl solution
is needed for neutralization by maintaining the same ratio.
20 ml NaOH x 4 16
Volume of HCl Solution = = =16 ml
5 5
So, the amount of HCl solution required to neutralize 20 mL of the same NaOH solution is 16
mL. Therefore, the answer is (d) 16 mL.
18. Which one of the following types of medicines is used for treating indigestion?
(a) Antibiotic
(b) Analgesic
(c) Antacid
(d) Antiseptic
Antacids are medicines used to treat indigestion, which is typically caused by excessive
stomach acid. Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach, providing relief from
symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach discomfort. They do not treat the
underlying cause of indigestion but provide temporary relief from its symptoms. Examples of
antacids include calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and aluminium hydroxide.
19. Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when
–
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Acid, Base and Salt
(C) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder.
20. Compounds such as alcohols and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not
categorised as acids. Describe an Activity to prove it.
Though compounds like alcohol and glucose contain hydrogen but they do not ionise in the
solution to produce H+ ions on passing current through them.
(ii) Fix two nails on a cork, and place the cork in 100 mL
beaker.
(vi) Repeat the experiment with glucose. The bulb does not
glow in this case also.
21. Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rainwater does ?
Distilled water does not conduct electricity because it does not contain any ionic compound
(like acids, bases or salts) dissolved in it.
Rainwater, while falling to the earth through the atmosphere, dissolves an acidic gas carbon
dioxide from the air and forms carbonic acid (H 2CO3). Carbonic acid provides hydrogen ions,
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Acid, Base and Salt
H+ (aq) and carbonate ions, CO32 to rainwater. Hence, due to the presence of carbonic acid
which provides ions to rainwater, the rainwater conducts electricity.
22. Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water?
The acidic behaviour of acids is due to the presence of hydrogen ions, [H+ (aq) ions], in
them. The acid produces hydrogen ions only in the presence of water. So in the absence of
water, an acid will not form hydrogen ions and hence will not show its acidic behaviour.
pH 7 is considered neutral.
pH values below 7 are acidic, with lower pH values indicating stronger acidity.
pH values above 7 are alkaline (basic), with higher pH values indicating stronger alkalinity.
Now, let's arrange the pH values in increasing order of hydrogen ion concentration:
Solution B (pH = 1) - Strongly acidic< Solution A (pH = 4) - Weakly acidic < Solution D
(pH = 7) – Neutral < Solution E (pH = 9) - Weakly alkaline < Solution C (pH = 11) -
Strongly alkaline
So, the increasing order of hydrogen ion concentration is: B < A < D < E < C.
24. Equal Lengths of Magnesium Ribbons are Taken in Test Tubes A and B.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is Added to Test tube A, While Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) is
Added to Test Tube B. In Which Test Tube will the Fizzing Occur More vigorously
and Why?
The fizzing occurs strongly in test tube A, in which hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added. This is
because HCl is a stronger acid than acetic acid (CH3COOH) and generates more hydrogen
(H+) ions. Therefore, HCl produces hydrogen gas at a faster rate due to which fizzing occurs.
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Acid, Base and Salt
25. fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd ?
Explain your answer.
pH of milk falls below 6 as it turns into curd due to the formation of lactic acid during this
process. Lactic acid present in it reduces its pH value.
26. A milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk.
(a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline?
The milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk to shift its pH from 6 to
slightly alkaline. This is done to prevent the milk from souring easily due to the formation of
lactic acid in it. By making the milk slightly alkaline, the growth of bacteria that produce
lactic acid is inhibited. Lactic acid bacteria thrive in an acidic environment, so by raising the
pH slightly, the milkman can slow down the growth of these bacteria and delay the souring of
the milk.
(b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd?
When milk is made slightly alkaline by the addition of baking soda, it takes a longer time to
set into curd because the lactic acid being formed during the fermentation process has to first
neutralize the alkali present in it. The alkali present in the milk reacts with the lactic acid
produced by the fermentation process, forming a salt and water. This neutralization reaction
slows down the overall process of curd formation, resulting in a longer setting time compared
to milk that hasn't been made alkaline.
1 1
CaSO4. H2O+1 H2O→CaSO4.2H2O
2 2
Plaster of paris gypsum(hardsolid)
Neutralisation reaction: A reaction in which an acid and base react with each other to form a
salt and water is known as a neutralization reaction. For example:
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Acid, Base and Salt
During indigestion (caused due to the production of excess acid in the stomach), we take an
antacid (milk of magnesia, Mg(OH) 2which is basic in nature). The antacid neutralises the
excess of acids and thus gives relief from indigestion.
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