Introduction to Acids, Bases and Salts
A substance that tastes sour in water, turns blue litmus red, and neutralises
the bases is known as an acid. If a substance’s aqueous solution tastes bitter,
turns red litmus blue, or neutralises acids, it’s called a base. Salt is a neutral
material that has no effect on litmus in an aqueous solution.
Classification of Matter
On the basis of
a) Composition – elements, compounds and mixtures
b) State – solids, liquids and gases
c) Solubility – suspensions, colloids and solutions
Types of mixtures – homogeneous and heterogeneous
Types of compounds – covalent and ionic
To know more about the Classification of Matter, visit here.
What Is an Acid and a Base?
Ionisable and Non-Ionisable Compounds
An ionisable compound, when dissolved in water or in its molten state,
dissociates into ions almost entirely. Examples: NaCl, HCl, KOH, etc.
A non-ionisable compound does not dissociate into ions when dissolved in
water or in its molten state. Examples: glucose, acetone, etc.
Acids and Bases
An acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is capable of donating a
proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance. A base is a molecule or ion able
to accept a hydrogen ion from an acid. Acidic substances are usually
identified by their sour taste.
For more information on Acids and Bases, watch the below video
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To know more about Acids and Bases, visit here.
Students can refer to the short notes and MCQ questions along with separate
solution pdf of this chapter for quick revision from the links below:
Acids, Bases and Salts Short Notes
Acids, Bases and Salts MCQ Practice Questions
Acids, Bases and Salts MCQ Practice Solutions
Arrhenius’ Theory of Acids and Bases
Arrhenius acid – when dissolved in water, dissociates to give H+ (aq) or
H3O+ ion.
Arrhenius base – when dissolved in water, dissociates to give OH− ion.
Examples
Acids
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
Nitric acid (HNO3)
Bases
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)
To know more about Arrhenius’ Theory, visit here.
Bronsted Lowry Theory
A Bronsted acid is an H+ (aq) ion donor.
A Bronsted base is an H+ (aq) ion acceptor.
Example
In the reaction: HCl (aq) + NH3 (aq) → NH+4(aq) + Cl− (aq)
HCl – Bronsted acid and Cl− : its conjugate acid
NH3 – Bronsted base and NH+4 : its conjugate acid
To know more about the Bronsted Lowry Theory, visit here.
Physical Test
Given are two possible physical tests to identify an acid or a base.
a. Taste
An acid tastes sour, whereas a base tastes bitter.
The method of taste is not advised, as an acid or a base could be
contaminated or corrosive.
Example: The flavours of curd, lemon juice, orange juice, and vinegar are all
sour. Because they contain acids, these compounds have a sour flavour.
Baking soda has a sour flavour. It’s an example of a foundation.
b. Effect on Indicators by Acids and Bases
An indicator is a chemical substance which shows a change in its physical
properties, mainly colour or odour, when brought in contact with an acid or a
base.
Below mentioned are commonly used indicators and the different colours they
exhibit:
a) Litmus
In a neutral solution – purple
In an acidic solution – red
In a basic solution – blue
Litmus is also available as strips of paper in two variants – red litmus and blue
litmus.
An acid turns a moist blue litmus paper to red.
A base turns a moist red litmus paper to blue.
b) Methyl orange
In a neutral solution – orange
In an acidic solution – red
In a basic solution – yellow
c) Phenolphthalein
In a neutral solution – colourless
In an acidic solution – remains colourless
In a basic solution – pink
Acid-Base Reactions
A neutralisation reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a base. Salt and
water are the end products of this reaction. An acid–base neutralisation
reaction is formulated as a double-replacement reaction in this standard
approach.
Reactions of Acids and Bases
a) Reaction of acids and bases with metals
Acids, in general, react with metals to produce salt and hydrogen gas. Bases,
in general, do not react with metals and do not produce hydrogen gas.
Acid + active metal → salt + hydrogen + heat
2HCl + Mg → MgCl2 + H2 (↑)
Hydrochloric acid + Magnesium → Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen
Base + metal → salt + hydrogen + heat
2NaOH + Zn → Na2ZnO2 + H2 (↑)
Sodium hydroxide + Zinc → Sodium zincate + Hydrogen
A more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its base.
2Na + Mg (OH) 2 → 2NaOH + Mg
Sodium + Magnesium hydroxide → Sodium hydroxide + Magnesium
b) Reaction of acids with metal carbonates and
bicarbonates
Acids produce carbon dioxide, as well as metal salts and water, when they
react with metal carbonates or metal bicarbonates. Sodium chloride, carbon
dioxide, and water are formed when sodium carbonate interacts with
hydrochloric acid. Allowing carbon dioxide gas to travel through lime water
turns it milky.
Acid + metal carbonate or bicarbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide.
2HCl + CaCO3 → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
H2SO4 + Mg (HCO3)2 → MgSO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2
Effervescence indicates the liberation of CO2 gas.
c) Reaction of Acid with Base
1. Reaction of metal oxides and hydroxides with acids
Metal oxides or metal hydroxides are basic in nature.
Acid + base → salt + water + heat
H2SO4 + MgO → MgSO4 + H2O
2HCl + Mg (OH) 2 → MgCl2 + 2H2O
2. Reaction of non-metal oxides with bases
Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature
Base + Nonmetal oxide → salt + water + heat
2NaOH + CO2→ Na2CO3 + H2O
3. Reaction of acids and base
A very common acid is hydrochloric acid. The reaction between strong acid,
says hydrochloric acid and strong base say sodium hydroxide, forms salt and
water. The complete chemical equation is shown below.
HCl (strong acid) + NaOH (strong base) → NaCl (salt) + H2O (water)
To know more about the Properties of Acids and Bases, visit here.
