CHAPTER 2

ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS

Acids:
Sour in taste.
Change the blue litmus to red.
pH is less than 7.
eg. Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4), Nitric Acid (HNO3), Acetic Acid
(CH3 COOH) etc.
Some Naturally occurring acids are Vinegar Acetic Acid, Orange Citric Acid, Lemon Citric
Acid, Tamarind Tartaric Acid, Tomato Oxalic Acid, Sour milk (Curd) Lactic Acid, Ant and
Nettle sting Methanoic Acid
Bases: Bitter in taste.
Change red litmus to blue
pH is more than 7 and less than 14.
eg. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Calcium hydroxide
(Ca(OH)2), Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) etc.
Acid Base Indicators: Indicate the presence of an acid or base in a solution.
Litmus solution It is a natural indicator. It is a purple dye extracted from Lichens.
Other examples are Red Cabbage and coloured petals of Petunia and turmeric.
Olfactory indicators Show odour changes in acidic or basic media. eg. Onion and
clove.
Some acid base Indicators:
S. No. Name of the Indicator
1.
Blue litmus solution

Colour Change with Acid

To red

Colour Change with Base

No change

2.

Red litmus solution

No change

To blue

3.

No change

To pink

4.

Phenolphthalein
(colourless)
Turmeric

No change

To red

5.

Methyl orange

To red

To yellow

Chemical Properties of Acids

Reaction with metal: Metals present above hydrogen in reactivity series are able to
displace hydrogen from acids and form corresponding salts.
Acid + Metal Salt + Hydrogen
2HCl + Zn ZnCl2 + H2
H2SO4 + Zn ZnSO4 + H2
2CH3COOH + Zn (CH3COO)2 Zn + H2
Test for hydrogen gas (Pop test) : When a burning candle is brought near a test
tube containing hydrogen gas it burns with a Pop sound. This test is conducted
for examining the presence of hydrogen gas.
Reaction with metal Carbonates and metal bicarbonates: Liberates brisk
effervescences of carbon dioxide with the formation of water and corresponding salts.
Metal Carbonate/ bicarbonate + Acid Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water
Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
NaHCO3 + HCl NaCl + CO2 + H2O
Test for Carbon dioxide gas (Lime water Test):- On passing the CO2 gas evolved
through lime water lime water turns milky due to the formation of insoluble
calcium carbonate.
Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
Lime water
Milky solution
On passing excess CO2 through above milky solution the milky solution turns to
colourless due to the formation of soluble calcium hydrogen carbonate.
CaCO3(s) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) Ca(HCO3)2( aq)
Reactions of metal oxides with acids: Acid on treatment with metal oxide form salt and
water.
Metal Oxide + Acid Salt + Water
CuO + HClCuCl2 + H2O
Metallic oxides are said to be basic oxides because they give salt and water on reacting
with acids.

Chemical Properties of Bases

Reaction with metal:

Base + MetalSalt + Hydrogen
NaOH + Zn
Na2ZnO2 + H2
Sodium Zincate
(Such reactions are not possible with all the metals and bases.)

 Reaction with acid (Neutralisation Reactions): When an acid reacts with a base salt and
water are formed. This reaction is called neutralization reaction. It is also exothermic in
nature.
Base + Acid Salt + Water +
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)
Reaction of Non Metallic Oxide with Base: Bases on reaction with non metallic oxide
gives salt and water.
Non metallic oxide + Base Salt + Water
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 CaCO3 + H2O
Non Metallic oxides are said to be acidic in nature because on reacting with a base they
produce Salt and Water.
Dilution of an acid or a base: While diluting an acid or a base it is always advised to add
acid/ base drop wise to water because dilution is a highly exothermic reaction and
evolved heat is absorbed by the water. If we add water to acid/ base evolved heat is not
absorbed by acid/ base and solution may splash out.
Strength of acid:
Dilute Acid: Contains only a small amount of acid and a large amount of water.
Concentrated Acid: A concentrated acid contains a large amount of acid and a
small amount of water.