Chapter 2 Acids Bases and Salts
Chapter 2 Acids Bases and Salts
(Chemistry)
Chapter 2: Acids, Bases & Salts
Olfactory Indicators
● Those substances whose odour changes in acidic or basic media are called olfactory
indicators. For example: onion, vanilla and clove oil.
● On adding sodium hydroxide solution to a cloth strip treated with onion, the smell of the
onion is not detected. An acidic solution does not eliminate the smell of the onion.
Reaction of Acids & Bases with Metals
Acids react with metals to produce salt by displacing hydrogen.
(1)
For Example:
1. When dilute sulphuric acid reacts with the metal zinc, zinc sulphate is formed with the
evolution of hydrogen gas.
Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
2. Zinc is the only metal which reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium zincate with
the release of hydrogen gas.
Zn + 2NaOH → Na2ZnO2 + H2
Reaction of zinc granules with dilute sulphuric acid and testing hydrogen gas by burning
(2)
For Example:
An aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid dissociates to form hydrogen ions. Since hydrogen
ions do not exist as H+ in solution, they combine with polar water molecules to form
hydronium ions [H3O+].
HCl (aq) → H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
H+ + H2O → H3O+
The presence of hydrogen ions [H+] in hydrochloric acid solution makes it behave like an
acid.
Bases
A base is a substance which dissolves in water to produce hydroxide ions [OH- ions]. Bases
which are soluble in water are called alkalis.
For Example:
Sodium hydroxide dissolves in water to produce hydroxide and sodium ions.
NaOH (aq) → Na+(aq) + OH- (aq)
The presence of hydroxide ions [OH-] in sodium hydroxide solution makes it behave like a
base.
pH Scale
● pH of a solution: pH of a solution is the negative logarithm to the base 10 of the
hydrogen ion concentration expressed in mole per litre.
pH = –log10 (H+)
p H = 7 - Neutral [H+] = [OH-]
pH less than 7 - [H+] more than [OH-]
Acidic
pH more than 7 - [OH-] more than [H+]
Basic
Universal Indicator
In case of a colourless liquid, the accurate pH can be obtained by adding a universal
indicator.
It is a mixture of several indicators and shows different colours at different concentration of
hydrogen ions in a solution.
(4)
Variation of pH with the change in concentration of H+ (aq) and OH– (aq) ions
For Example:
i. A universal indicator produces green colour in a neutral solution, pH = 7.
ii. The colour changes from blue to violet as pH increases from 7 to 14.
iii. The colour changes from yellow to pink and then to red as pH decreases from 7 to 1.
pH of some common substances shown on a pH paper (colours are only a rough guide)
(5)
● Our stomach produces hydrochloric acid which helps in the digestion of food without
harming the stomach.
● Sometimes excess acid is produced in the stomach which causes indigestion.
● To get rid of this pain, bases called antacids are used.
● Antacids are a group of mild bases which react with the excess acid and neutralise it.
● Commonly used antacids are magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH) 2] & sodium bicarbonate
[NaHCO3]
pH change - Cause of tooth decay
● Tooth decay starts when the pH in the mouth falls below 5.5.
● Tooth enamel is made up of calcium phosphate which is the hardest substance in the
body.
● It is insoluble in water but gets corroded when the pH in the mouth falls below 5.5.
● The bacteria present in the mouth produce acids due to the degradation of sugar and
food particles after eating.
(6)
● Hence, to prevent tooth decay, the mouth should be rinsed after eating food and
toothpastes which are basic should be used cleaning teeth to neutralise the excess acid.
Soil of pH and plant growth
Most of the plants have a healthy growth when the soil has a specific pH (close to 7) range
which should be neither alkaline nor highly acidic. Therefore,
● Compound ‘X’ is Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
● Compound ‘A’ is Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4).
● Compound ‘B’ is Sodium chloride (NaCl).
● Compound ‘C’ is Sodium acetate (CH3COONa)
More about Salts
A salt is a combination of an anion of an acid and a cation of a base.
Examples: KCl, NaNO3 ,CaSO4, etc.
Salts are usually prepared by the neutralisation reaction of an acid and a base.
Family of salts
Salts having same positive ions (or same negative ions) are said to belong to a family of
salts. For example, NaCl, KCl, LiCl.
pH of Salts
● Salts of strong acid and a strong base are neutral, with a pH value of 7.
For Example: NaCl, Na2SO4
(7)
● Salts of strong acid and weak base are acidic, with a pH value less than 7.
For Example: Ammonium chloride solution has pH value of 6.
● Salts of weak acid and strong base are basic, with a pH value more than 7.
For Example: Sodium carbonate solution has a pH value of 9.
Common Salt
● Common salt is a neutral salt and can be prepared in the laboratory by the reaction of
sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid.
NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (aq)
● It is an important raw material for products of daily use such as NaOH, baking soda,
washing soda and bleaching powder.
Sodium Hydroxide
● Sodium hydroxide is produced by the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium
chloride (called brine).
● The process is called the chlor-alkali process because of the products formed, i.e. ‘chlor’
for chlorine and ‘alkali’ for sodium hydroxide.
2NaCl(aq) + 2H2O(aq) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
Bleaching Powder
● It is produced by the action of chlorine on dry slaked lime [Ca(OH) 2].
Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O
● It is represented as CaOCl2
Uses
● for bleaching cotton and linen in the textile industry, for bleaching wood pulp in paper
factories and for bleaching washed clothes in laundry;
● as an oxidising agent in many chemical industries; and
● to make drinking water free from germs.
(8)
Baking Soda
● Chemical formula: NaHCO3
● It is produced on a large scale by treating cold and concentrated solution of sodium
chloride (brine) with ammonia and carbon dioxide.
NaCl + H2O + CO2 + NH3 → NH4Cl + NaHCO3
(Ammonium chloride) (Sodium hydrogen
carbonate)
● On heating, it decomposes to give sodium carbonate with the evolution of carbon
dioxide.
2NaHCO3 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
→
(Sodium hydrogen carbonate) (Sodium carbonate)
Uses
● For making baking powder, which is a mixture of baking soda (sodium hydrogen
carbonate) and a mild edible acid such as tartaric acid. When baking powder is heated or
mixed in water, the following reaction takes place:
NaHCO3 + H+ → CO2 + H2O + Sodium salt of acid
Carbon dioxide produced during the reaction can cause bread or cake to rise making
them soft and spongy.
● Sodium hydrogencarbonate is also an ingredient in antacids. Being alkaline, it neutralises
excess acid in the stomach and provides relief.
● It is also used in soda-acid fire extinguishers.
Washing Soda
● Chemical formula: Na2CO3.10H2O
● Sodium hydrogen carbonate, on heating decomposes to give sodium carbonate with the
release of hydrogen gas. Re-crystallisation of sodium carbonate produces washing soda.
2NaHCO3 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
Na2CO3 + 10H2O → Na2CO3.10H2O
(Sodium carbonate)
Uses
● Sodium carbonate (washing soda) is used in glass, soap and paper industries.
● It is used in the manufacture of sodium compounds such as borax.
● Sodium carbonate can be used as a cleaning agent for domestic purposes.
● It is used for removing permanent hardness of water.
(9)
Water Of Crystallisation
● Water molecules which form a part of the structure of a crystal are called water of
crystallisation.
● The salts which contain water of crystallisation are called hydrated salts.
● Every hydrated salt has a fixed number of molecules of crystallisation in its one formula
unit.
For Example: CuSO4.5H2O, Na2CO3.10H2O, CaSO4.5H2O, and FeSO4.7H2O
● Copper sulphate crystals (CuSO4.5H2O) are blue in colour, and on heating strongly they
lose all the water of crystallisation and form anhydrous copper sulphate, which is white.
On adding water to anhydrous copper sulphate, it gets hydrated and turns blue.
CuSO4.5H2O 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 → CuSO4 + 5H2O
CuSO4 + 5H2O → CuSO4.5H2O
Plaster of Paris
Plaster of Paris is prepared by heating gypsum at 373 K. On heating, it loses water
1
molecules and becomes calcium sulphate hemihydrate (CaSO 4. H2O) which is called Plaster
2
of Paris.
1 1
CaSO4.2H2O 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 → CaSO4. H2O + 1 H2O
2 2
(Gypsum) (Plaster of Paris)
Uses
● Used in hospitals as plaster for supporting fractured bones in the right position.
● Used as a fire-proofing material.
(10)
(11)
Important Questions
⮚ Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What happens when a solution of an acid is mixed with a solution of a base in a test
tube?
(i) Temperature of the solution decreases
(ii) Temperature of the solution increases
(in) Temperature of the solution remains the same
(iv) Salt formation takes place
(a) (i) and (iv)
(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) only
(d) (ii) and (iv)
2. When hydrogen chloride gas is prepared on a humid day, the gas is usually passed
through the guard tube containing calcium chloride. The role of calcium chloride taken
in the guard tube is to
(a) absorb the evolved gas
(b) moisten the gas
(c) absorb moisture from the gas
(d) absorb Cl– ions from the evolved gas
3. Which one of the following salts does not con-tain water of crystallisation?
(a) Blue vitriol
(b) Baking soda
(c) Washing soda
(d) Gypsum
4. In terms of acidic strength, which one of the following is in the correct increasing
order?
(a) Water < Acetic acid < Hydrochloric acid
(b) Water < Hydrochloric acid < Acetic acid
(c) Acetic acid < Water < Hydrochloric acid
(d) Hydrochloric acid < Water < Acetic acid
5. What is formed when zinc reacts with sodium hydroxide?
(a) Zinc hydroxide and sodium
(12)
(13)
2. During summer season, a milkman usually adds a small amount of baking soda to
fresh milk. Give reason.
3. What is the difference between slaked lime and lime water?
4. Which acid is present in sour milk or curd?
5. Why is potassium iodide added into common salt to use it as table salt?
6. What are the pH values of distilled water and common salt solution
7. A dry pellet of a common base B, when kept in open absorbs moisture and turns
sticky. The compound is also a by-product of chloralkali process. Identify B. What type
of reaction occurs when B is treated with an acidic oxide? Write a balanced chemical
equation for one such solution.
8. Which bases are called alkalies? Give an example of an alkali.
9. A knife, which is used to cut a fruit, was immediately dipped into water containing
drops of blue litmus solution. If the colour of the solution is changed to red, what
inference can be drawn about the nature of the fruit and why?
10. How do H+ ions exist in water?
⮚ Short Questions:
1. How will you find pH of lemon juice?
2. A sample of bleaching powder was kept in an air tight container. After a month, it
lost some of its chlorine content. How will you account for it?
3. An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is basic and not acidic. Assign reason.
4. An old person complained of acute pain in the stomach. Doctor gave him a small
antacid tablet and he got immediate relief. What actually happened?
5. A milkman adds very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk. What happens to
its pW?
6. A few drops of phenolphthalein indicator were added to an unknown solution A. It
acquired pink colour. Now another unknown solution B was added to it dropwise and
the solution ultimately became colourless. Predict the nature of the solutions A and B.
7. A compound which is prepared from gypsum has the property of hardening when
mixed with proper quantity of water. Identify the compound. Write chemical equation
to prepare the compound. Mention one important use of the compound.
8. The oxide of a metal M was water soluble. When a blue litmus strip was dipped in
this solution, it did not undergo any change in colour. Predict the nature of the oxide.
⮚ Long Questions:
1. (a) A solution has a pH of 7. Explain how you would you:
(14)
(16)
d. All of these.
v. Identify the product 'X' in the given reaction.
Ca (OH)2 + Cl2 → X + H2O
a. CaOCl2
b. CaCl2
c. Ca(ClO3)2
d. CaCO3
2. Read the following and answer any four questions from (i) to (v).
Baking powder produces carbon dioxide on heating, so it is used in cooking to make
the batter spongy. Although, baking soda also produces CO2 on heating, but it is not
used in cooking because on heating, baking soda produces sodium carbonate along
with carbon dioxide. Sodium carbonate, thus, produced, makes the taste bitter.
Baking powder is the mixture of baking soda and a mild edible acid. Generally, tartaric
acid is mixed with baking soda to make baking powder. When baking powder is
heated, NaHCO3 decomposes to give CO2 which makes bread and cake fluffy. Tartaric
acid helps to remove bitter taste due to formation of sodium tartrate.
b. It is insoluble in water.
c. It is used in soda-acid fire extinguishers.
d. All of these.
iv. Acetic acid was added to a solid X kept in a test tube. A colourless and
odourless gas was evolved. The gas was passed through lime water which
turned milky. It was concluded that,
a. Solid X is sodium hydroxide and the gas evolved is CO2.
b. Solid X is sodium bicarbonate and the gas evolved is CO 2.
c. Solid X is sodium acetate and the gas evolved is CO2.
d. Solid X is sodium chloride and the gas evolved is CO 2.
v. Which of the following statements are correct regarding baking soda?
I. Baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate.
II. On heating, baking soda gives sodium carbonate.
III. It is used for manufacture of soap.
IV. It is an ingredient of baking powder.
a. I and IV only.
b. I, II and III only.
c. I, II and IV only.
d. I, II, III and IV.
Answer Key-
⮚ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. (d) (ii) and (iv)
2. (c) absorb moisture from the gas
3. (b) Baking soda
4. (a) Water < Acetic acid < Hydrochloric acid
5. (b) Sodium zincate and hydrogen gas
6. (d) Oxalic acid
7. (c) aqueous solution of sodium chloride
8. (a) washing soda
9. (b) 100°C
10. (d) 2
(18)
⮚ Short Answer:
1. Answer:
(a) Take about 5mL of the given sample of lemon juice in a test tube.
(b) Dip a strip of the universal pH paper in the tube.
(c) Take out the strip and note its colour. It will acquire a orange red colour.
(d) On comparison with pH paper chart, the pH of the solution falls in the range
between 2 and 3.
2. Answer: Bleaching powder if kept even in an airtight container, will slowly
decompose of its own and form calcium chlorate and calcium chloride. The
reaction is called auto-oxidation. This will result in decrease in its chlorine
contents.
3. Answer: Sodium carbonate reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide and
carbonic acid.
Since the base is strong while acid is weak, the solution is basic and not acidic.
4. Answer: The old person was suffering from acute acidity. Antacid tablet contains
sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3). It reacts with the acid (HCl) formed because
of acidity and neutralizes its effect. That is how the old person got relief.
5. Answer: The pH of fresh milk is nearly 6. Baking soda is sodium hydrogen
carbonate (NaHCO3). On adding it to fresh milk, the medium becomes alkaline and
its pH therefore, increases.
6. Answer: The solution A is basic in nature and phenolphthalein has imparted pink
colour to it. The solution B is of an acid which has ultimately made solution A
colourless by neutralising its basic effect.
7. Answer: The compound is Plaster of Paris (CaSO4.½ H2O). It is formed from Gypsum
(CaSO2.2H2O) upon heating to a temperature of 373 K and also changes back to
Gypsum on adding water. Plaster of Paris is used for setting fractured bones.
(20)
8. Answer: The metal oxide (MO) is of basic in nature. It dissolves in water to form
metal hydroxide as follows:
MO + H2O → M(OH)2
A blue litmus does not undergo any change in colour in the basic medium.
⮚ Long Answer:
1. Answer:
(a) The solution with pH 7 is neutral. Its pH can be increased by adding a small
amount of base like sodium hydroxide. Basic solutions have pH more than 7.
Similarly, pH can be decreased by adding small amount of acid like hydrochloric
acid. Acidic solutions have pH less than 7.
(b) The change in colour of litmus from red to blue indicates that the solution is of
basic nature with pH more than 7.
(c) Carbon dioxide can be liberated by reacting sodium carbonate solution with
acid like dilute hydrochloric acid. This shows that the solution is of acidic nature
with pH less than 7.
2. Answer:
(i) Common salt contains the impurity of magnesium chloride (MgCl 2) which is of
deliquescent nature. When exposed to atmosphere, it becomes moist. Therefore,
common salt becomes sticky during the rainy reason.
(ii) Blue vitriol (CUSO4.5H2O) upon heating changes to anhydrous copper sulphate
(CUSO4) which is white in colour.
(iii) Concentrated sulphuric acid is highly hygroscopic. It absorbs moisture from air
and gets diluted. Since the volume increases, the acid starts flowing out of the
bottle.
3. Answer:
(a) The raw materials used are: NaCl, lime stone or CaCO3 and NH3.
(b) Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) is sparingly soluble or less soluble in
water and gets separated as a preciptate while NH4Cl remains in solution. The
precipitate is removed by filtration.
(c) Sodium hydrogen carbonate is converted to sodium carbonate upon heating.
(21)
⮚ Assertion Reason
1. (c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation:
The process of dissolving an acid or a base in water is highly exothermic reaction. Acid
must always be added slowly to water with constant stirring.
2. (c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation:
Higher the H+ ion concentration, lower is the pH value. The pH value less than 7
represents an acidic solution and value more than 7 represents a basic solution.
2.
(22)
(23)