Chapter 7 Acids and Bases MENU

Introduction to Acids and Bases Role of water and the properties of acids

Form

Chemistry

The pH Scale
Role of water and the properties of alkalis

Strong and Weak Acids

Mind Map

Strong and Weak Alkalis

Meaning of Acid
Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

An acid is a chemical substance which ionises in water to produce hydrogen ions, H+. The acidic properties of an acid is due to the presence of hydroxonium ions, H3O+. However, this ion can be written as H+, hydrogen ion.

Hydroxonium ion

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Basicity of Acid
Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

Basicity of an acid is the maximum number of

hydrogen ions that is produced when one molecule of the acid ionises in water. Monoprotic acid is an acid which produces one hydrogen ion when one molecule of the acid ionises in water.

Nitric Acid
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Basicity of Acid
Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

Diprotic acid is an acid which produces two hydrogen ions when one molecule of the acid ionises in water.

For example : Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4

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Meaning of Bases / Alkalis

Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

A alkali is a chemical substance which ionises in water to produce hydroxide ions, OH- .
+ Na+
Bases

_ OH -

Bases are oxides/hydroxides of metals which react with acids. Alkalis are bases which are soluble in water. All alkalis are bases but not all bases are alkalis.

Alkalis

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Uses of Acids, Bases and Alkalis

Substance
Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

Uses
To make detergents, paints, fertilisers As electrolyte in lead-acid accumulator.

Acids 1. Sulphuric acid

2. Hydrochloric acid To clean metals before electroplating in industry. 3. Nitric acid 4. Ethanoic acid 5. Methanoic acid 6. Carbonic acid To make fertilizers, plastics, explosives. To make vinegar. To coagulate latex in the rubber industry. To make fizzy drinks

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Uses of Acids, Bases and Alkalis

Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

Substance
Bases and Alkalis 1. Ammonia (aqueous)

Uses
To make fertilisers, cleaning agents. To manufacture nitric acid. To keep latex in liquid form.

2. Magnesium hydroxide To make gastric tablets and tooth paste. 3. Calcium hydroxide 4. Sodium hydroxide To make cement, limewater. To neutralise acidity of soil. To make detergents, soaps, fertilisers and bleaching agents.

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Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

ROLE OF WATER ON THE PROPERTIES OF ACID

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

An acid only shows it acidic properties when water is present.

Liquid glacial ethanoic acid Aqueous ethanoic acid Ethanoic acid in dry propanone

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

A pure acid in the dry state does not exhibit its acidic properties. Dry acid consists of covalent molecules only. Thus, hydrogen ions are not present.

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

The presence of water enables the acid molecules to ionise to produce hydrogen ions. Thus it exhibits acidic properties.

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Properties of Acids
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

Acid + base

salt + water

Acid + metal

salt + hydrogen gas

Acid + metal carbonate

salt + water + carbon dioxide gas

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Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

ROLE OF WATER ON THE PROPERTIES OF ALKALI

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

When water is present, an alkali will dissolve and ionises to produce freely moving hydroxide ions.

Thus the alkali exhibits alkaline properties.

For Example:

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

Without water, a pure alkali in the dry state does not exhibit alkaline properties because it does not contain freely moving hydroxide ions.

For example : Aqueous Ammonia Solution

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

Alkali + acid

salt + water

Alkali + metal ion

insoluble metal hydroxide

Alkali + ammonium salt

salt + water + ammonia gas

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Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

Alkali + acid

salt + water

Alkali + metal ion

insoluble metal hydroxide

Alkali + ammonium salt

salt + water + ammonia gas

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pH Scale
Chemistry Form 4: The pH Scale

The pH scale is used to indicate the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It consists of pH values that range from 0 to 14.

pH Paper

pH Meter
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pH Value
Chemistry Form 4: The pH Scale
The pH value is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, H+ and hydroxide ions, OH- .

The lower the pH value, the higher the concentration of hydrogen ions. The higher the pH value, the higher the concentration of hydroxide ions.

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Chemistry Form 4: The pH Scale

pH value of substances

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Strong Acids
Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids

The strength of an acid depends on the degree of ionisation or dissociation of the acid in water.

A strong acid is a chemical substance that dissociates completely in water to produce high concentration of hydrogen ions, H+ .
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Strong Acids
Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids

H+ + Cl- (100% ionisation )

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Weak Acids
Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids

Weak acids are chemicals that dissociate partially

(incomplete dissociation) in water to produce low concentration of hydrogen ions.

An example of weak acid is dilute ethanoic acid, CH3COOH. Most of the ethanoic acid exist as molecules, few as CH3COO- and H+ ions.

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Weak Acids
Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids

O CH3 C -OH

Partial dissociation

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Strong Alkalis
A strong alkali is a chemical substance that dissociates completely in water to produce high concentration of hydroxide ions, OH-.
For example: Sodium hydroxide, NaOH
dissociation dissociation

Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Alkalis

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Weak Alkalis
A weak alkali is a chemical substance that dissociates partially (incomplete dissociation) to produce low concentration of hydroxide ions, OH- in water.
For example: Aqueous Ammonia Solution, NH3

Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Alkalis

High pH value

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7.1 Characteristics and Properties of Acids and Bases

Mind Map 1

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7.2 The Strength of Acids and Alkalis

Mind Map 2

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7.2 The Strength of Acids and Alkalis

Mind Map 3

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Dissociation of Strong and Weak Alkalis

in Water

NH3(aq)

NH3(aq)

NH3(aq)