CHAPTER 10

Acids and Bases

2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

10.1 Acids
10.2 Bases and Alkalis
10.3 The pH Scale
10.4 Types of Oxides

10.1

Acids

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
define acids as substances that produce hydrogen
ions in aqueous solution;
describe the properties of acids and their reactions
with metals, bases and carbonates.

11.1

Acids

Organic acids

Mineral acids
Hydrochloric
acid

Tartaric acid

Citric acid

Sulfuric acid

Nitric acid

Lactic acid

9.1

Acids

What is an Acid?
An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions, H+
in aqueous solution.
The hydrogen ions are responsible for the properties
of an acid.
Examples of acids:
HNO3(aq)

H+(aq) + NO3(aq)

H2SO4(aq)

2H+(aq) + SO42(aq)

CH3COOH(aq)

H+(aq) + CH3COO(aq)

10.1

Acids

Is hydrogen chloride gas, HCl (g), an acid?

HCl gas exists as covalent molecules.

It is not dissolved in water so it cannot produce

H+ ions.

Therefore, it is not an acid when gaseous

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10.1

Acids

What is an Acid?
A substance has acidic properties only when

it is dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution.

it ionises to produce H+ ions.

Hydrogen
chloride in
an organic
solvent does
not ionise.

This is not
an acid!

Hydrochloric
acid is
produced.

Hydrogen
chloride in
water
ionises to
give H+ ions.

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
1.

Acids have a sour taste.

2.

Acids turn blue litmus paper red.

3.

Acids dissolve in water to form solutions which

can conduct electricity.

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
4.

Acids react with reactive metals to form a salt and

hydrogen gas.
Test for H2:
Use a lighted wooden splint.
Flame extinguishes with a pop sound.

metal + acid salt + hydrogen

E.g. Ca, Mg,
Zn, Fe

Produced when H+ in the acid is replaced

by a metallic ion (Na+, K+, Zn2+) or
ammonium (NH4+)
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10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
Reaction of acids with metals:
Example 1
magnesium + sulfuric acid magnesium sulfate + hydrogen
Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) MgSO4(aq) + H2(g)
metal

acid

salt

hydrogen gas

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10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
Reaction of acids with metals:
Example 2
zinc + hydrochloric acid zinc chloride + hydrogen
Zn(s) + HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)
metal

URL

acid

salt

hydrogen gas

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10.1

Acids

Reaction of Acids with Lead (Pb)

Not all metals react with acids to give a salt and
hydrogen gas.
Lead appears to be unreactive to hydrochloric acid
and sulfuric acid. Why?
Insoluble layer of
acid
lead

PbCl2 or PbSO4
prevents further
reaction.
lead

12

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
5.

Acids react with carbonates and hydrogen

carbonates to form a salt, water and carbon
dioxide.

carbonate + acid salt + water + carbon dioxide

E.g. Na2CO3, CaCO3,
ZnCO3, MgCO3

Test for CO2:

Bubbling CO2 gas through
calcium hydroxide (limewater)
will produce a white
precipitate, calcium carbonate.
13

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
Reaction of acids with carbonates:
Example 1
sodium carbonate + hydrochloric acid
sodium chloride + water + carbon dioxide

Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

carbonate

URL

acid

salt

water

carbon
dioxide

14

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
Reaction of acids with carbonates:
Example 2
zinc carbonate + sulfuric acid zinc sulfate + water + carbon
dioxide

ZnCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

carbonate

acid

salt

water

carbon
dioxide
15

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
6.

Acids react with metal oxides and hydroxides to form a salt and water only.

metal oxide + acid salt + water

metal hydroxide + acid salt + water
also known as bases

base + acid salt + water

What is the name given to this reaction? Neutralisation
16

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metal oxides:

Example
1 + sulfuric acid zinc sulfate + water
zinc oxide
ZnO(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2O(l)
metal
oxide

acid

salt

water

17

10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
Complete the equation:
copper(II) oxide + nitric acid copper(II) nitrate + water
CuO(s) + 2 HNO3(aq) Cu(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l)

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10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metal hydroxides:

Example
sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid
sodium chloride + water
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
metal
hydroxide

acid

salt

water

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10.1

Acids

Properties of Acids
Complete the equation:
calcium hydroxide + nitric acid calcium nitrate + water
Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2HNO3(aq) Ca(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

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10.1

Acids

Role of Water in Acidity

HCl(g) dissolved
in an organic
solvent e.g.
methylated spirit
or oil

HCl(g) dissolved in
water.

No H ions
+

Magnesium ribbon
does not react with
HCl.

magnesium
ribbon

HCl(aq) which is
an acid reacts
with magnesium
ribbon.
Bubbles of gas
observed.
Hydrogen gas
21
was produced.

10.1

Acids

Uses of Other Acids

Hydrochloric acid
Remove impurities such as rust or scale from
metals and aluminium alloys.
Phosphoric acid
Added to food and beverages to give them a
sour taste.
Ethanoic acid
Acts as food preservatives and flavour enhancer.
22

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

10.1 Acids
10.2 Bases and Alkalis
10.3 The pH Scale
10.4 Types of Oxides

23

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:

define alkalis as substances that produce hydroxide

ions in aqueous solution;

describe what is meant by neutralisation and write

the ionic equation for the neutralisation reaction;

describe the properties of alkalis and their

reactions with acids and ammonium salts.

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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

What is a Base?
A base is any metal oxide or hydroxide that reacts
with an acid to produce a salt and water only.
base + acid salt + water

This reaction is called neutralisation.

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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

What is a Base?
Examples
Metal oxides

Metal hydroxides

sodium oxide, Na2O

sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

zinc oxide, ZnO

zinc hydroxide, Zn(OH)2

calcium oxide, CaO

calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2

iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3

iron(III) hydroxide, Fe(OH)3

copper(II) oxide, CuO

copper(II) hydroxide, Cu(OH)2

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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

AcidBase Reactions
acid + base salt + water
Example 1
sulfuric acid + copper(II) oxide copper(II) sulfate + water
H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l)

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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

AcidBase Reactions
acid + base salt + water

Example 2
hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide sodium chloride + water
HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

What is an Alkali?
An alkali is a soluble base which dissolves in water to
produce OH ions.
Note: All alkalis are bases but NOT ALL bases are
alkalis.

29

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

What is an Alkali?
Bases
CaO
FeO
Cu(OH)2

Alkalis
MgO
Na2O
NaOH
KOH
Ca(OH) 2
NH3(aq)
Fe(OH)3

ZnO
Relationship between bases and alkalis
30

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

What is an Alkali?
Examples of alkalis:
sodium hydroxide sodium ion + hydroxide ion
NaOH(aq) Na+(aq) + OH(aq)
calcium hydroxide calcium ion + hydroxide ion
Ca(OH)2(aq) Ca2+(aq) + 2OH(aq)
ammonia gas + water
NH3(g) + H2O(l)

ammonium ion + hydroxide ion

NH4+(aq) + OH(aq)
31

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
1.

Alkalis feel soapy and have a bitter taste.

2.

Alkalis turn red litmus paper blue.

3.

Alkalis react with acids to form a salt and water only.

This is a neutralisation reaction.

alkali + acid salt + water

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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
Reaction of acids with alkalis (neutralisation):
Complete these word equations and construct their chemical
equations:

sodium hydroxide + nitric acid sodium nitrate + water

NaOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l)
potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid potassium sulfate + water
2KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
33

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
Reaction of acids with alkalis (neutralisation):
The ionic equation for the neutralisation reaction
between and acid and an alkali is:

H+(aq)

hydrogen ions
from acid

OH(aq)

hydroxide ions
from alkali

H2O(l)

water, a neutral
liquid
34

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Which of these are neutralisation reactions?

1. CuO(s) + HCl(aq) CuCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

2. ZnCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) ZnSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

3. KOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) KNO3(aq) + H2O(l)

4. MnO2(s) + HCl(aq) MnCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + Cl2(g)

35

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
4. Alkalis warmed with ammonium salts produce
ammonia gas.
Test for NH3:
Moist red litmus paper turns
blue in presence of ammonia.

alkali + ammonium salt salt + water + ammonia

Contains the NH4+ ion
E.g. NH4Cl, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4
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10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
Reaction of alkalis with ammonium salts:
Example 1
sodium hydroxide + ammonium chloride
sodium chloride + water + ammonia
NaOH(aq) + NH4Cl(s) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + NH3(g)

37

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
Reaction of alkalis with ammonium salts:
Example 2
potassium hydroxide + ammonium sulfate
potassium sulfate + water + ammonia
2KOH(aq) + (NH4)2SO4(s)
K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 2NH3(g)

38
URL

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
5. Alkalis react with a solution of one metal salt to give
another metal salt and metal hydroxide.

alkali
+
salt

(containing metal A) (of metal B)

metal hydroxide + salt

(of metal B)
(of metal A)

39

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis
Example
sodium hydroxide + iron(II) sulfate
sodium sulfate + iron(II) hydroxide

NaOH(aq) + FeSO4(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + Fe(OH)2(s)

40

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Uses of Bases and Alkalis

Magnesium oxide
relieving gastric pain and for making refractory bricks
Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide
used in the preparation of soap

41

10.2

Bases and Alkalis

Uses of Bases and Alkalis

Calcium hydroxide
reduce acidity in soil
Ammonia solution
used in making fertilisers

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Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

10.1 Acids
10.2 Bases and Alkalis
10.3 The pH Scale
10.4 Types of Oxides

43

10.3

The pH Scale

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
describe the effects of acids and alkalis on Universal
Indicator;
describe the use of Universal Indicator and the pH
scale to test hydrogen ion concentration and relative
acidity;
describe the reasons for controlling the pH of the soil
and the methods used to reduce excess acidity in
soil.
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10.3

The pH Scale

The pH Scale
is a set of numbers from 0 to 14;
indicates if a solution is acidic, neutral or alkaline.

increasing
H+ ions,
more acidic

H+ = OH ions,
neutral

Increasing
OH ions,
more alkaline
45

10.3

The pH Scale

The pH Scale

The pH of a solution is related to the concentration

of H+ or OH present in a solution.

Acids
Higher H+ concentration,
lower OH concentration
lower pH value

Alkalis
Higher OH concentration,
lower H+ concentration
higher pH value

46

10.3

The pH Scale

The pH Scale
The pH example of some common acids and bases:

H2SO4 (aq)
HCl (aq)
HNO3(aq)

H2O(l)

NaOH(aq)
NH3(aq)

CH3COOH(aq)
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10.3

The pH Scale

pH of Some Common Substances

gastric juices

vinegar
canned
lemon
fizzy
juice
drinks

dilute
HCl

pure water
rain
water

more

less

acidic

acidic

blood
7

aqueous
NaOH

toothpaste
detergents
9

less
alkaline

10

10

12

13

14

more
alkaline

NEUTRAL

High H+

Low H+

Low OH

High OH

concentration

concentration

concentration

concentration
48

10.3

The pH Scale

How do we measure the pH of a given solution?

Chemical compound called an indicator
pH sensor attached to a data logger
pH meter

49

10.3

The pH Scale

Indicators

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

Colour change of some common indicators:

Colour of indicator in
Indicator
Litmus

Strong acidic
solution
red

Strong alkaline
solution
blue

Methyl Orange

red

yellow

Screened Methyl Orange

violet

green

Phenolphthalein

colourless

pink
50

10.3

The pH Scale

Universal Indicator
1. Add a few drops of Universal Indicator to the
solution to be tested.

2. Compare the colour of the solution with the pH scale.

URL

51

10.3

The pH Scale

Measuring pH
pH meter

measures pH electrically;

more accurate and reliable;

consists of a pH probe
connected to a data logger.

52

10.3

The pH Scale

Why control pH of Soil?

It is important to control the pH of soil because it will
affect the growth and development of plants.

Potatoes grow well at

pH 5.56.5

Cabbages grow well at

pH 7.58.5

Most plants grow best in neutral or slightly acidic soils.

53

10.3

The pH Scale

Controlling pH of
Soil
pH of soil may become unsuitable for plant growth due to:

too much fertilisers added to the soil;

environmental pollution such as acid rain.

54

10.3

The pH Scale

Controlling pH of
Soil
To treat acidity in soil, add:

calcium oxide (quicklime);

calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).

This process is also known as liming. These bases

neutralise the acid in the soil.

55

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

10.1 Acids
10.2 Bases and Alkalis
10.3 The pH Scale
10.4 Types of Oxides

56

10.4

Types of Oxides

Learning Outcome
At the end of this section, you should be able to:
classify oxides as acidic, basic, amphoteric or neutral
based on their metallic or non-metallic properties.

57

10.4

Types of Oxides

Classification of Oxides
Oxides
compounds of oxygen

Metallic oxides
ionic compound
metal ion and oxide ion

Non-metallic oxides
covalent compound
non-metal and oxygen

Basic oxides

Amphoteric oxides

Acidic oxides

Neutral oxides
58

10.4

Types of Oxides

Acidic Oxides
Properties:

Non-metallic oxides
Often gases at room temperature
Most dissolve in water to form acid
React with alkalis to form a salt and water only
Acidic
oxide

Dissolves in water to form

SO2

SO2(g) + H2O(l)

H2SO3(aq)

SO3

SO3(g) + H2O(l) H2SO4(aq)

CO2

CO2(g) + H2O(l)

H2CO3(aq)

Name of acid
Sulfurous acid
Sulfuric acid
Carbonic acid
59

10.4

Types of Oxides

Reaction of Acidic Oxides with Alkali

Example 1
sulfur dioxide + sodium hydroxide
sodium sulfite + water
SO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2SO3(aq) + H2O(l)

60

10.4

Types of Oxides

Reaction of Acidic Oxides with Alkalis

Example 2
carbon dioxide + sodium hydroxide
sodium carbonate + water
CO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
Is silicon(IV) oxide an acidic oxide?
Yes. It reacts with NaOH to form a salt and water only.
61

10.4

Types of Oxides

Basic Oxides
Properties:

Metallic oxides
Solids at room temperature
React with acids to form a salt and water only
Can be soluble or insoluble in water

Dissolves in water to form

alkalis
E.g. Na2O, K2O
Na2O + H2O NaOH
K2O + H2O KOH

Known as bases
E.g. MgO, CuO, ZnO

62

10.4

Types of Oxides

Reaction of Basic Oxides with Acids

Example 1
calcium oxide + nitric acid calcium nitrate + water
CaO(s) + 2HNO3(aq) Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l)
insoluble base

acid

salt

water

Example 2
sodium oxide + hydrochloric acid
sodium chloride + water
Na2O(s) + 2HCl(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
soluble base

acid

salt

water

63

10.4

Types of Oxides

Amphoteric Oxides
Properties:

React with acids to form a salt and water,

behaving like a base

React with alkalis to form a salt and water,

behaving like an acid

E.g. ZnO, PbO, Al2O3

64

10.4

Types of Oxides

Salts Produced by Other Amphoteric Oxides

with Alkalis
Examples:
Amphoteric oxide

Salt produced in NaOH

Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)

Sodium aluminate (NaAlO3)

Lead(II) oxide (PbO)

Sodium plumbate (Na2PbO2)

65

10.4

Types of Oxides

Reaction of Zinc oxide with Acid/Alkali

zinc oxide + hydrochloric acid zinc chloride + water
ZnO(s) + 2HCl(aq) ZnCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
What property does ZnO show here?
zinc oxide + sodium hydroxide
sodium zincate + water
ZnO(s) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2ZnO2(aq) +H2O(l)
What property does ZnO show here?
66

10.4

Types of Oxides

Neutral Oxides
Properties:

Insoluble in water

Show neither acidic nor basic properties

E.g. H2O (water)

NO (nitric oxide)
CO (carbon monoxide)

Note that they are

also monoxides.

67

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

Concept Map

68

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

Concept Map

69

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

Concept Map

70

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

The URLs are valid as at 15 October 2012.

Acknowledgements
(slide 1) yellow lemons Abhijit Tembhekar | Wikimedia Commons |
CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en)
(slide 4) grapes Stuuf | Wikimedia Commons | Public Domain
(slide 4) oranges Benjamin D. Esham | Wikimedia Commons |
CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
(slide 4) yogurt Erud | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
(slide 4) hydrochloric acid Bartomiej Bulicz | Wikimedia Commons |
CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)

71

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

Acknowledgements
(slide 4) hydrochloric acid Walkerma | Wikimedia Commons |
Public Domain
(slide 4) nitric acid fuming W. Oelen | Wikimedia Commons |
CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
(slide 4) acidic drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid DualDoomsdays |
Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
(slide 8) blue litmus paper Parvathisri | Wikimedia Commons |
CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
72

Chapter 10 Acids and Bases

Acknowledgements
(slide 42) tualetsapo Maksim | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
(slide 43) forest fertilizer SeppVei | Wikimedia Commons | Public Domain
(slides 5253) Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore)
(slide 54 potatoes Tahir mq | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)
(slide 54) cabbage Evelyn Gunn | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)

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