III.

Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 1

Topic III. Characteristics of acids Part 1

Reference Integrated Chemistry Today, L.H.M. Chung, Book 1 pg. 352 – 355
Reading

Objectives 4.2.0 – 4.2.1

– recognise that hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid are common acids used in the laboratory
– illustrate that water is essential for acids to exhibit acidic properties
– understand that liberation of hydrogen from action of metals on dilute acids is an indication of the existence
of hydrogen ions in dilute acids
– recognise that domestic acids can react with magnesium to form hydrogen
– describe the action of dilute acids on metals, carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, metal oxides and hydroxides
– write equations showing the formation of hydrogen ions, H+(aq) from acids explain the meaning of the term
'basicity' of an acid

Notes III. Characteristics of acids

A. Common acid in laboratory

Hydrochloric acid HCl(aq), nitric acid HNO3(aq) and sulphuric acid H2SO4(aq) are the three most commonly used
acid in laboratory and industry. In general, their dilute aqueous solutions are used.

B. Dilute acids

1. Typical characteristics of dilute acid

1. Sour taste
2. Turns blue litmus paper red
3. Reacts with reactive metal, carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, metal oxide and metal hydroxide.

It is observed that all dilute acids have similar properties and is independent of the nature of the acid. This means
that all acids must share something in common.
All typical properties of acid are caused by the presence of hydrogen ion, H+(aq) in the aqueous solution.

Generic word equation

i. acid + reactive metal → hydrogen gas + salt
ii. acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide
iii. acid + hydrogencarbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide
iv. acid + metal oxide → salt + water
v. acid + metal hydroxide → salt + water
III. Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 2

i. Generic word equation acid + reactive metal → hydrogen gas + salt

Word equation hydrochloric acid + magnesium → hydrogen + magnesium chloride
Balanced equation 2HCl(aq) + Mg(s) → H2(g) + MgCl2(aq)
Ionic equation 2H+(aq) + Mg(s) → H2(g) + Mg2+(aq)
+1 0 0 +2

N.B. This reaction may also be regarded as a redox reaction. H+(aq) is reduced to H2(g). Metal is oxidized to
metal ion. H+(aq) can be regarded as a mild oxidizing agent.

ii. Generic word equation acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide
Word equation hydrochloric acid + sodium carbonate → sodium chloride + water + carbon dioxide
Balanced equation 2HCl(aq) + Na2CO3(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Ionic equation 2H+(aq) + CO32-(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)

iii. Generic word equation acid + hydrogencarbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide
Word equation nitric acid + sodium hydrogencarbonate → sodium nitrate + water + carbon
dioxide
Balanced equation HNO3(aq) + NaHCO3(aq) → NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Ionic equation H+(aq) + HCO3-(aq) → H2O(l) + CO2(g)

N.B. Reaction (2) and (3) can be used to test for the presence of acid where evolution of bubbles is very
obvious. The phenomenon of evolution of bubbles is also called effervescence.

[Identification of CO2(g)]
Limewater is an aqueous solution of slaked lime / calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2(s).
Continuous bubbling of CO2(g) turns limewater milky first and then colourless again.

Limited CO2(g) CO2(g) + Ca(OH)2(aq) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)

Excess CO2(g) CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) → Ca(HCO3)2(aq)

CO2(g) turns soluble Ca(OH)2(aq) into insoluble CaCO3(s). This makes the solution a white suspension.
Excess CO2(g) turns white precipitate of CaCO3(s) into soluble Ca(HCO3)2(aq) again.

iv. Generic word equation acid + metal oxide → salt + water

Word equation sulphuric acid + magnesium oxide → magnesium sulphate + water
Balanced equation H2SO4(aq) + MgO(s) → MgSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
Ionic equation 2H+(aq) + MgO(s) → Mg2+(aq) + H2O(l)

iv. Generic word equation acid + metal hydroxide → salt + water

Word equation hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → sodium chloride + water
Balanced equation HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Ionic equation H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l)

N.B. In the above reactions, salt is only the residue left behind from the spectator ions.
III. Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 3

2. Role of water

Acid behaves very differently in the absence and in the presence of water.

Example 1 - citric acid

Magnesium Blue litmus paper
Dry citric acid crystal no bubbles remains blue
Aqueous citric acid solution bubbles evolves turns red

Conclusion 1 : Without water acid does not show acidic properties

Example 2 - hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid)

Magnesium Blue litmus paper
HCl in methylbenzene no bubbles remain blue
HCl in water bubbles evolves turns red

Pure hydrogen chloride is a molecular compound consists of H–Cl molecule. It is soluble in both water and
methylbenzene(an non-polar organic solvent).

Conclusion 2 : Acidic properties of acid is caused by the presence of water not the presence of other
solvents.

N.B. The inverted funnel is used in the dissolving of HCl(g) to prevent sucking back and increase the area of
contact.

a) Hydroxonium ion H3O+(aq) and hydrogen ion H+(aq)

Generic word equation acid molecule + water → hydroxonium ion + anion

Generic equation HA + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)
Specific equation HCl(g) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

The acidic properties of an acid solution is caused by hydroxonium ion H3O+(aq)

which is produced only in the presence of water. Moreover, water also plays the role
of solvent, therefore symbol of hydrogen ion H+(aq) is usually used to represent the
hydroxonium ion H3O+(aq). hydroxonium ion H3O+(aq)
Actual equation HA(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + A-(aq)
HA(aq)  
→ H+(aq) + A-(aq)
water
Simplified equation

b) Definition of acid

Acid - a hydrogen containing electrolyte which ionizes in water and gives H+(aq) as the only cation.

For example, HCl(aq) is an acid but NaHSO4(aq) is not known as an acid. This is because when Na+HSO4-(aq) ionizes
in water, it gives Na+(aq) on top of H+(aq) ion.

NaHSO4(aq) → Na+(aq) + HSO4-(aq)

HSO4-(aq) d H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)
III. Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 4

3. Dissociation / Ionization of acid in water

Hydrochloric acid - HCl(aq) (formed by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water)

HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Nitric acid - HNO3(aq)

HNO3(aq) → H+(aq) + NO3-(aq)

Sulphuric acid - H2SO4(aq)

H2SO4(aq) → H+(aq) + HSO4-(aq)
HSO4-(aq) d H+(aq) + SO4-(aq)

N.B. → : means one way and complete reaction (100%)

d : means reversible and incomplete reaction (<100%), in dilute sulphuric acid, the extent of the
second step of dissociation, HSO4-(aq) d H+(aq) + SO42-(aq), is only about 1%.

Each molecule of HCl(aq) or HNO3(aq) gives 1 H+(aq) ion only, they are called monobasic acid.
Each molecule of H2SO4(aq) is capable to give 2 H+(aq) ion, they are called dibasic acid.

The maximium no. of ionizable hydrogen atom or no. of H+(aq) ion produced by each acid molecule is called
the basicity of the acid.

a) Basicity

Acid Ionization Basicity

Hydrochloric acid HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl-(aq) 1 - Monobasic

Nitric acid HNO3(aq) → H+(aq) + NO3-(aq) 1 - Monobasic
Ethanoic acid CH3COOH(aq) d H+(aq) + CH3COO-(aq) 1 - Monobasic
Sulphuric acid H2SO4(aq) d 2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq) 2 - Dibasic
Sulphurous acid H2SO3(aq) d 2H+(aq) + SO32-(aq) 2 - Dibasic
Carbonic acid CO2(aq) + H2O(l) d 2H+(aq) + CO32-(aq) 2 - Dibasic
Phosphoric acid H3PO4(aq) d 3H+(aq) + PO43-(aq) 3 - Tribasic

Dibasic and tribasic acid are also called polybasic acid.

Not all the hydrogen atoms on a molecule is ionizable. e.g. only 1 out of 4 hydrogen atoms in ethanoic acid
molecule is ionizable.
ionizable
hydrogen atom

H O H O
3 non-ionizable - +
hydrogen atoms H C C O H H C C O + H
(aq) (aq) (aq)
H H

Ethanoic acid molecule Ethanoate ion Hydrogen ion

Glossary role bubbles litmus paper methylbenzene inverted funnel sucking back
anhydrous calcium chloride hydroxonium ion hydrogen ion sour evolution of bubbles
effervescence slaked lime calcium hydroxide suspension precipitate residue
spectator ions ionize dissociation ionization one way reversible basicity
monobasic dibasic tribasic polybasic acid carbonic acid ionizable hydrogen atom
ethanoate ion liberation
III. Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 5

Past Paper 93 I 3 b ii 93 I 4 b i ii
Questions 94 I 1 b i ii c
95 I 7 a i
97 I 7 a I
99 I 2 a

93 I 3 b ii
3b In school laboratories, chemical wastes such as concentrated hydrochloric acid, methylbenzene and
tetrachloromethane produced during practical work are to be stored in containers and then sent to a chemical
waste treatment plant for disposal.
ii Explain why chemical wastes such as concentrated hydrochloric acid should be stored in containers made of 1
plastics instead of metals.
conc. hydrochloric acid can attack / react with metals 1 mark

93 I 4 b i
4b To determine the percentage by mass of calcium carbonate in egg shells, a student added 100 cm3 of 2 M 8
hydrochloric acid to 0.3 g of egg shells in a container. After 30 minutes, all the egg shells dissolved and 67 cm3
of carbon dioxide were collected at room temperature and pressure.
(Relative atomic masses: H = 1.0; C = 12.0; O = 16.0; Ca = 40.0;
Molar volume of gas at room temperature and pressure 24.0 dm3)
i Write an equation for the reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid. 1
CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2 1 mark
or CaCO3 + 2H+ → Ca2+ + H2O + CO2 (1
mark)

94 I 1 b i ii c
1 The table below lists some information about three metals X, Y and Z .
Metal X Y Z
Atomic number 12 20 —
Action of cold water No apparent change A colourless gas slowly No apparent change
evolves
Action of 0.1 M A colourless gas evolves. — No apparent change
hydrochloric acid
1b i Write an equation for the reaction between X and 0.1 M hydrochloric acid. 1
(An ionic equation will NOT be accepted for this question.)
X + 2HCl → XCl2 + H2 1 mark
or Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2
(Do NOT accept ionic equations; disregard state symbols;
accept any form of balanced equation, e.g. 2Mg + 4HCl → 2MgCl2 + 2H2)
1b ii Draw electronic structures for the TWO products formed in (i) above , showing electrons in the outermost shell 2
ONLY.

1 + 1 marks

(Accept ; do NOT accept )

C Some candidates drew the following electronic structure for XCl2 which is wrong.
III. Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 6
1c What would be observed when Y is added to 0.1 M hydrochloric acid ? 1
The metal dissolves in the acid / colourless gas evolves / effervescence / vigorous reaction. 1 mark
C In this question, candidates were expected to state what would be observed when Y was added to 0.1 M
hydrochloric acid. Many candidates gave 'hydrogen' as the answer which was not acceptable. They probably had
not read the question with enough care as they gave an answer which was not related to observation.

95 I 7 a i
7a The label on a bottle of 'Effervescent Calcium' tablets is shown below.

(Relative atomic masses: C = 12.0, O = 16.0, Ca = 40.0;

Molar volume of gas at room temperature and pressure = 24.0 dm3)
i Effervescence occurs when a tablet of 'Effervescent Calcium' is added to water. Based on the information given 3
on the label, explain why effervescence occurs. Write the ionic equation for the reaction that occurs.
Citric acid / vitamin C (ascorbic acid) when dissolves in water gives H+(aq) which reacts with calcium carbonate to
give gas (CO2) bubbles. 2 marks
(Do not accept calcium carbonate dissolves in / reacts with water to give CO2 gas.)
CaCO3 + 2H+ → Ca2+ + CO2 + H2O 1 mark
(Do not accept CO32- + 2H+ → CO2 + H2O)

97 I 7 a i
7a Malachite is a mineral containing copper(II) carbonate and copper(II) hydroxide. It is insoluble in water but 8
reacts with dilute sulphuric acid. The procedure for preparing copper(II) sulphate crystals from malachite is as
follows:
Step 1 Pour 50 cm3 of 2M sulphuric acid in a beaker and then warm the acid.
Step 2 Add small portions of powdered malachite to the warm acid while constantly stirring, until
effervescence stops and some powdered malachite remains in the beaker.
Step 3 Remove the remaining powdered malachite from the solution.
Step 4 Evaporate the solution slowly to obtain copper(II) sulphate crystals.
i Write a chemical equation for the reaction which causes the effervescence. 1
CuCO3·Cu(OH)2 + 2H2SO4 → 2CuSO4 + 3H2O + CO2
or CuCO3·Cu(OH)2 + 4H+ → 2Cu2+ + CO2 + 3H2O
or CuCO3 + H2SO4 → CuSO4 + H2O + CO2
or CuCO3 + 2H+ → Cu2+ + H2O + CO2 1 mark
(no mark for CO32- + 2H+ → H2O + CO2)

99 I 2 a
2 For each of the following experiments, state ONE observable change and write a chemical equation for the
reaction involved.
2a Dilute nitric acid is added to magnesium carbonate powder in a beaker.

90 46
D 46 A solution of dry hydrogen chloride in methylbenzene turns Gaseous hydrogen chloride contains hydrogen ions.
blue litmus paper red.

91 45
A 45 Which of the following statements about hydrogen chloride
III. Characteristics of acids Part 1 Page 7
is/are correct ?
(1) It forms dense white fumes with ammonia gas.
(2) It dissolves in methylbenzene to form H+ and Cl- ions.
(3) It turns dry litmus paper red
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

92 49
D 49 A solution of hydrogen chloride in methylbenzene can turn Hydrogen chloride dissolves in methylbenzene to form
blue litmus paper red. hydrogen ions.

93 23
D 23 Which of the following statements about a solution of
hydrogen chloride in water is correct ?
A. The hydrogen chloride exists as molecules in the
solution.
B. The hydrogen chloride is slightly ionized in water.
C. The pH value of the solution is greater than 7.
D. The reaction between the solution and aqueous
ammonia is exothermic.

93 49
D 49 100 cm3 of 1M hydrochloric acid react with excess Both acids contain the same concentration of H+(aq) ions.
magnesium ribbon at the same rate as 100 cm3 of 1M
sulphuric acid.

94 16
D 16 Which of the following statements concerning a solution of
hydrogen chloride in dry methylbenzene is correct ?
A. It can conduct electricity.
B. Its pH value is smaller than 7.
C. When magnesium is added to it, a gas is evolved.
D. When ammonia gas is bubbled into it, a white
precipitate is formed.

95 40
C 40 Which of the following methods can produce hydrogen ?
(1) adding zinc to water
(2) electrolysing dilute sulphuric acid
(3) adding magnesium to dilute hydrochloric acid
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

95 46
C 46 The basicity of ethanoic acid is four. One molecule of ethanoic acid contains four atoms of
hydrogen.