Acids, Bases, and pH

By the end of this topic, you will be able to:

pH, acidity, and indicators
 Classify substances as acidic, basic, or neutral with
reference to the pH scale
 Explain the use of indicators in identifying acids and bases.
 Describe the color changes expected for various laboratory
indicators in acids, bases, and neutral substances.
 Acids, Bases, and pH
Cont’d:
 Define the term acid
 Describe the properties/characteristics of acids
 List examples, and state the uses of common acids (both
mineral acids, and organic acids)
 Define the terms ‘base’ and ‘alkali’
 Describe the properties/characteristics of bases/alkalis
 List examples, and state the uses of common bases/alkalis
 Discuss the strength of acids and alkalis based on their
completeness of ionization
 Explain the terms acidic, basic, amphoteric and neutral
oxides
 Vocabulary of key terms

 pH  Base  Acidic oxide/acidic

 pH scale  Alkali anhydride
 Indicator  Neutral  Basic oxide
 Acid  Salt  Amphoteric oxide
 Neutral oxide

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 How is the acidity of a substance measured?
pH (potential of hydrogen)
 The pH of a substance tells us how acidic or alkaline it is.
 pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion [H+] concentration in a solution.
 The pH of a substance is measured on a pH scale
 The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.
 A pH of 0-6 is acidic | A pH of 7 is neutral | A pH of 8-14 is basic

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How is the acidity of a substance measured?
The pH Scale
 The lower the pH, the more acidic
the solution is.
 The higher the pH, the more alkaline
the solution is.
 pH 7 is neutral.
 Distilled water, sugar solution and
most salt solutions are neutral (pH
7).

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Measuring the acidity of a substance
The pH of a solution can be measured with a digital pH meter.

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 Indicators
 Indicators are substances which show different colors in acidic
and alkaline solutions.

 Litmus is a common indicator. It is red in acidic

solutions and blue in alkaline solutions.

Litmus is red in Litmus is blue in

acidic solutions alkaline solutions.
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Indicators
Other common Indicators

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Acids, Bases and pH
The Universal Indicator
 The Universal Indicator consists of a mixture of dyes which
changes its colour in different pH solutions.
 We can use the Universal Indicator to tell us the
approximate pH of a solution.
 The Universal Indicator or pH paper changes its colour
according to the pH shown in the chart below.

Box of pH paper with

colour chart 9
 Investigation
Practical
 In this investigation, you will test various substances to determine:
i. Its acidity
ii. Its pH level (using universal indicator)
 Copy and compete the table below with the results rom your
investigations:
 Create a pH scale to represent the substances that you tested.
Substance pH value Acidity (acid or base)

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Investigation
Virtual Practical
 Open the link:
http://amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=3&sim=78&cnt=1
 Spend about 5 minutes to go through the theory
 Click on the simulation tab then carry out the experiment.

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Acids, Bases and Salts
What are acids?
 Fruits like apples, oranges and pineapples taste sour because
they contain acids.
 Acids also turn blue litmus paper red.
 Acids produce hydrogen ions H+ in water.
 Acids, Bases and Salts
Definition of An Acid
An acid is a substance which produces hydrogen ions, H+(aq) when dissolved in water.

 ALL acid molecules contain a replaceable hydrogen. When dissolved in water,

the molecule ionizes, forming the positive hydrogen ions (H+ ions) and
negative anions.

 For example, hydrochloric acid dissolves in water to

form hydrogen ions and chloride ions:

HCl (g)  H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

 Acids, Bases and Salts
The H in an acid can be replaced/displaced by a metal or
ammonium (NH4+) ion to form a salt.

for example
1. Ca(s) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)
H has been replaced by Ca to form the salt, CaCl2
2. 2NH4OH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) (NH4)2SO4 (aq) + 2H2O(l)
H has been replaced by NH4+ to form the salt, (NH4)2SO4
Acids, Bases and Salts
The basicity of acids
Basicity in this case refers the number of H+ ions that is produced
when 1 molecule of the acid dissociates/ionizes when
dissolved in solution.
Basicity Explanation Example
Monobasic Produces one H+ ion HCl  H+ (aq) + Cl-
when dissolved in
water Forms normal salts ONLY*

Dibasic Produces two H+ ions H2SO4  2H+ (aq) + SO42- (aq)

when dissolved in
water Form acid salts, and normal salts*
Tribasic Produces three H+ ions H3PO4 (aq)  3H+ (aq) + PO43-
when dissolved in
water Form acid salts, and normal salts*
 Acids, Bases and Salts
Properties/characteristics of acids
The properties of acids are due to the presence of H+ ions
 They are corrosive- can cause  They have a sour taste  They turn blue litmus red
severe burns to your skins or E.g., Fruit acids like citrus
other materials. fruits- contain citric acid

 They conduct electricity in their  They have a pH value less

aqueous state- They are than 7
electrolytes
 Acids, Bases and Salts
What are acids?
pop
Other chemical properties of acids
 Acids react with metals to produce
hydrogen gas.
E.g. Mg + H2SO4  MgSO4 + H2
( test for hydrogen gas)

 Acids react with carbonates to

produce carbon dioxide.
E.g.
CaCO3 +2HCl  CaCl2 + H2O + CO2 Limewater HCl+CaCO3
turns chalky
(test for carbon dioxide)
Acids, Bases and Salts
What are acids?
Other chemical properties of acids
 Acids react with bases to form a salt and water only.
 E.g. sulphuric acid reacts with copper(II) oxide to form a salt
called copper(II) sulphate and water:
H2SO4 + CuO  CuSO4 + H2O

 This reaction is called neutralisation.

Acids, Bases and Salts
Some Common Acids

Name of acid Formula

Sulphuric acid H2SO4
Hydrochloric acid HCl
Nitric acid HNO3
Citric acid C6H8O7
Ethanoic acid (vinegar) CH3COOH
Acids, Bases and Salts
Uses of Acids

 Hydrochloric acid is used in the industry to remove

rust from metals before they are painted.
 Sulphuric acid is used to make fertilisers and
detergents.
 Ethanoic acid is used in vinegar for cooking and
to preserve food such as vegetables.
 Citric acid is used in making fruit salts.
Acids, Bases and Salts
Some Common Acids

Name of acid Formula

Sulphuric acid H2SO4
Hydrochloric acid HCl
Nitric acid HNO3
Citric acid C6H8O7
Ethanoic acid (vinegar) CH3COOH
Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 1
1. What ions do acids produce in water?
2. State three properties of acids.
3. Explain what is meant by a strong acid. Give one
example of a strong acid.
4. Explain what is meant by a weak acid. Give one example
of a weak acid.
5. Some dry citric acid crystals are placed on a dry piece of
litmus paper. Will there be a colour change? Explain your
answer.
Solution
Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 1
1. Hydrogen ions
2. (a) Acids have a sour taste.
(b) Acids turn blue litmus to red.
(c) Acids react with metals to produce hydrogen.
3. A strong acid is an acid that is completely ionised in water. E.g.
sulphuric acid.
4. A weak acid is an acid that is only partially ionised in water. E.g.
ethanoic acid.
5. There will be no colour change because there is no water, so
the citric acid cannot form hydrogen ions.
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Bases
 A base is an oxide or hydroxide of a metal.
 Examples of bases are:
sodium oxide, sodium hydroxide, copper(II)
oxide, copper(II) hydroxide, etc.
 A base reacts with an acid to form a salt and
water only.
E.g. CuO + H2SO4  CuSO4 + H2O
 This process is called neutralisation.

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 Acids, Bases and Salts
Alkalis
 If a base is soluble in water, it is called an alkali.

 An alkali is a soluble base which

produces hydroxide ions, OH− (aq)
in water.

 Sodium hydroxide is an alkali because it dissolves in

water to produce hydroxide ions:
NaOH(aq)  Na+(aq) + OH−(aq)
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Difference between base and alkali

 Copper(II) hydroxide is a base but not an alkali. This is

because it is insoluble in water and hence cannot produce
hydroxide ions in water.

 Is this true? BASE

CuO ALKALI
All alkalis are bases,
Cu(OH)2 NaOH KOH NH3(aq)
but not all bases are alkalis.
Fe2O3 Ca(OH)2
MgO

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Acids, Bases and Salts
Chemical properties of alkalis

 Alkalis have a bitter taste and soapy feel.

 Alkalis turns red litmus to blue.
 Alkalis react with acids to from salt and water
only.
E.g. 1. NaOH + HCl  NaCl + H2O
E.g. 2 2KOH + H2SO4  K2SO4 + 2H2O

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 Acids, Bases and Salts
Chemical properties of alkalis
 Alkalis react with ammonium salts to produce ammonia gas.
 Ammonia gas is basic; thus it turns red litmus paper blue.
 Ammonia gas is very soluble in water and gives out a pungent
smell.
E.g.1: NaOH + NH4Cl  NaCl + NH3 + H2O
NH3 gas produced turns
red litmus blue

Sodium hydroxide +
ammonium chloride

E.g. 2: Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl  CaCl2 + 2NH3 + 2H2O

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Acids, Bases and Salts
Uses of Bases

 Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are used in

making soaps.
 Ammonia solution is used in window cleaners.
 Magnesium hydroxide is used in toothpastes to neutralise
the acid produced by bacteria.
 Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) is used to neutralise
acids found in acidic soil.

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Acids, Bases and Salts
Some Common Alkalis
Name Chemical formula

Sodium hydroxide NaOH

Potassium hydroxide KOH

Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2

Ammonia solution NH3(aq)

(ammonium hydroxide)
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 2

1. What is a base? Give 3 examples of bases.

2. Define what is an alkali. Give 3 examples of alkalis.
3. State 3 properties of alkalis.
4. Explain why iron(II) hydroxide is a base, but not an alkali.
5. Write balanced chemical equations for the following
reactions:
(a) potassium hydroxide + ammonium chloride
(b) calcium hydroxide + ammonium chloride

Solution
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 2

1. A base is an oxide or hydroxide of a metal.

E.g. sodium oxide, copper(II) oxide, calcium hydroxide.
2. An alkali is a soluble base which produces hydroxide ions in water.
E.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide.
3. (i) Alkalis turn red litmus blue.
(ii) Alkalis react with acids to produce a salt and water.
(iii) Alkalis react with ammonium salts to produce ammonia.
4. Iron(II) hydroxide is a base, but not an alkali because it is insoluble
in water, so it cannot produce hydroxide ions in water.
5. (a) KOH + NH4Cl  KCl + H2O + NH3
(b) Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl  CaCl2 + 2H2O + 2NH3
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Strength of Acids and Bases
 You can describe an acid or base as strong or weak
 The strength of an acid or a base depends on its
completeness of dissociation (ionization) in water

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Acids, Bases and Salts
A Strong Acid
Strong acid
 A strong acid is completely
ionized in water. This means
that all the acid molecules
become ions in the water.

 Examples of strong acids are: sulphuric acid, hydrochloric

acid and nitric acid.
Acids, Bases and Salts

A Weak Acid
Weak acid

 A weak acid is an acid that is

only partially ionised in water.
This means that only a few
molecules of the acid become
ions in water.

 E.g.s. of weak acids are: ethanoic acid, citric acid and

carbonic acid.
Acids, Bases and Salts
Types of Oxides
 Elements burn or react with oxygen to form oxides.
 There are 4 types of oxides: acidic oxides, basic oxides, amphoteric
oxides and neutral oxides.
 An acidic oxide (also called an acid anhydride) is an oxide of a non-metal.
It dissolves in water to form an acid. Acidic oxides react with alkalis to
form salts .
 A basic oxide is an oxide of a metal. If soluble, it will dissolve in water to
form an alkali. Basic oxides react with acids to form salts.
 An amphoteric oxide is an oxide which can react with both acids and
alkalis to form salts.
 A neutral oxide does not react with either acids or alkalis.

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 Acids, Bases and Salts
Types of Oxides
4 TYPES OF OXIDES

Acidic Oxides Basic Oxides Amphoteric Oxides Neutral Oxides

CO2 , SO2 Na2O, CaO, K2O, Al2O3 , PbO , H2O, CO ,

NO2 , NO MgO, CuO ZnO N2O

React with React with both Do not react with

alkalis to form React with acids to acids & alkalis to both acids &
salts form salts form salts alkalis
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Quick check 3
1. Name 3 common indicators and their colour change in strong
acidic and strong alkaline solutions.
2. What is meant by the pH of a solution? What is the pH of :
(a) hydrochloric acid, (b) citric acid, (c) sodium chloride
solution, (d) sodium hydroxide solution?
3. What are the 4 types of oxides? Give one example of each
type of oxide.
4. What colours would you expect to see when the following
indicators are added to a solution of pH 5?
(a) litmus, (b) phenolphthalein, (c) methyl orange
Solution
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Acids, Bases and Salts
Solution to Quick check 3

1. Litmus: red, blue;

Phenolphthalein: colourless, pink;
Universal Indicator: red, violet
2. The pH of a solution measures the acidity or alkalinity of a
solution. (a) 0 – 1, (b) 3 – 4, (c) 7, (d) 13 – 14.
3. Acidic oxides, basic oxides, amphoteric oxides and neutral
oxides. E.g. sulphur dioxide, sodium oxide, aluminium oxide,
water.
4. (a) litmus: red, (b) phenolphthalein: colourless,
(c) methyl orange: red-orange
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