ACIDS & BASES

OUTLINE
ACIDS
• Define acid and acid anhydride;
• List general properties of Acids;
• Relate acidity and alkalinity to the pH scale;
• Discuss the classification of Acids
• Discuss the strength of acids on the basis of their completeness of ionization;
• Investigate the reactions of non-oxidising acids;
• Write balanced equations for reactions of acids;
• List examples of acids in living systems.
BASES
• Define base, alkali, acidic, basic, amphoteric, and neutral oxides;
• List general properties of Bases;
• Discuss the strength of alkalis on the basis of their completeness of ionization;
• Investigate the reaction of Bases with Ammonium Salts.
 DEFINITION OF ACID
• 
An ACID is defined as a substance which produces ‘free’ hydrogen ions
(H+) when dissolved in water.

Example:
 GENERAL PROPERTIES OF ACIDS
The presence of H+ ions in aqueous solutions of acids give them their
characteristic properties.
These solutions are described as acidic and they have the following general
properties:

 They have a sour taste

 They are corrosive
 They change blue litmus red
 They have a pH value less than 7
 They conduct an electric current that is, they are electrolytes
 React with a base to produce salt and water
 THE pH SCALE
The pH scale is a scale of numbers from 0 to 14.
It is used to show how acidic or alkaline a solution is.
• A pH below 7 is ACIDIC
• A pH above 7 is ALKALINE
• A pH of exactly 7 is NEUTRAL

• The strongest acid is pH 0.

• The strongest base is pH 14.
 COMMON LABORATORY ACIDS

Some common laboratory acids are:

NAME OF ACID CHEMICAL FORMULA

Hydrochloric Acid HCl
Nitric Acid HNO3
Sulphuric Acid H2SO4
Ethanoic Acid CH3COOH
 DEFINITION OF ACID ANHYDRIDE
An ACID ANHYDRIDE is defined as a compound that forms an
acid when it reacts with water.

Examples of Acid Anhydrides include:

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
2. Sulphur dioxide (SO2),
3. Sulphur trioxide (SO3),
4. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
 FORMATION OF ACIDS
FROM ACID ANHYDRIDES
 

  Carbonic Acid

  Sulphurous Acid

 
Sulphuric Acid

 
Nitrous Acid Nitric Acid
 CLASSIFICATION OF ACIDS

Acids can be classified based on:

• Origin,
• Strength and
• Basicity (Protocity).
 ORIGIN OF AN ACID
There are two (2) types of acids: Organic and Inorganic.

• Organic Acids originate from plants and animals.

Organic acids contain hydrogen and carbon with another element.
Examples include: citric acid, lactic acid, ethanoic acid, methanoic acid

• Inorganic Acids are compounds consisting of hydrogen and non-

metallic elements or their groups.
Examples include: Hydrochloric acid (HCI), Nitric acid (HNO3), Sulphuric acid
(H2SO4), Carbonic acid (H2CO3), Phosphoric acid (H3PO4).
 STRENGTH OF AN ACID

Acids can be classified as WEAK or STRONG.

The strength of an acid depends on the degree of ionisation which

occurs when they dissolve in water.
 
 STRONG ACIDS

STRONG ACIDS are completely ionised when dissolved in water.

This means all the acid molecules ionise and the concentration of
hydrogen (H+) ions in the solution is high.

Example: Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4) and Nitric Acid (HNO3).
𝐻𝐶𝑙(𝑎𝑞 ) ⟶ 𝐻+ሺ𝑎𝑞 ሻ + 𝐶𝑙−(𝑎𝑞 )
 WEAK ACIDS
•WEAK
  ACIDS are partially ionised when dissolved in water.

This means that the solution contains a mixture of acid molecules and
few hydrogen ions (H+).
The concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution is low.

There will be many more molecules of un-ionised acid present than

there are ions.

Example: Organic Acids such as ethanoic acid, CH3COOH are weak acids.
 BASICITY OF AN ACID
•of  acid
The BASICITY (PROTOCITY) of an acid is the number of hydrogen ions (H+) liberated or produced per molecule
when the acid dissolves in water.
Monobasic Acids: Yield one (1) H+ ion per molecule. Examples: HCl, CH3COOH. Basicity (Protocity) = 1

 Dibasic Acids: Yield two (2) H+ ions per molecule. Example: H2SO4. Basicity (Protocity) = 2

 Tribasic Acids: Yield three (3) H+ ions per molecule. Example: H3PO4 Basicity (Protocity) = 3
 CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF ACIDS

When acids react, the H+ ions in the acid are replaced by metal or
ammonium ions to form a SALT.

Salts therefore contain metal or ammonium cations and negative anions

from the acid.
 NAMING SALTS
•A salt is named after the chemicals taking part in the reaction.
•The names of salts have two parts.
•The first part is the name of the METAL involved in the reaction.
•The second part comes from the ACID used.
ACID USED IN NAME OF SALT
REACTION PRODUCED
Hydrochloric Acid Chloride
Nitric Acid Nitrate
Sulphuric Acid Sulphate
Ethanoic Acid Ethanoate
 ACIDS REACT WITH REACTIVE METALS
•Acids,
  except nitric acid, react with metals (Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium,
Aluminium, Zinc, Iron, Lead) to form a salt and hydrogen gas.
Note: that the metals Copper, Silver and Gold do not react with acids.

REACTIVE METAL + ACID  SALT + HYDROGEN GAS

Example:

Magnesium + Hydrochloric Acid  Magnesium Chloride + Hydrogen Gas

Note: Nitric Acid is an oxidising agent which releases oxides of nitrogen for example nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and not hydrogen (H2),
when it reacts with metals.
ACIDS REACT WITH REACTIVE METALS

Reaction between Zinc & Hydrochloric Acid

 ACIDS REACT WITH BASES
• 
Acids react with bases, which are mainly metal hydroxides and metal
oxides to form salt and water.

This reaction is called a Neutralization Reaction.

BASE + ACID  SALT + WATER

Example:
Sodium Hydroxide + Sulphuric Acid  Sodium Sulphate + Water
 ACIDS REACT WITH METAL CARBONATES
AND METAL HYDROGEN CARBONATES
• 
Acids react with metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates to form a salt,
carbon dioxide and water.
METAL CARBONATE + ACID  SALT + CARBON DIOXIDE + WATER
Example:

Sodium Carbonate + Sulphuric Acid  Sodium Sulphate + Carbon dioxide + Water

METAL HYDROGENCARBONATE + ACID  SALT + CARBON DIOXIDE + WATER

Example:
Magnesium Hydrogencarbonate + Nitric Acid  Magnesium Nitrate + Carbon dioxide + Water
ACIDS REACT WITH METAL CARBONATES
AND METAL HYDROGEN CARBONATES

When Carbon dioxide (CO2) is allowed to

bubble through calcium hydroxide
(limewater), it changes it to milky white.

Calcium Hydroxide turns Reaction between

milky white. Magnesium Carbonate &
Hydrochloric Acid
EXAMPLES OF ACIDS IN LIVING SYSTEMS
ACID WHERE FOUND NOTES
     Vitamin C is essential in a healthy diet. A shortage can lead to scurvy.
ASCORBIC ACID OR In many fruits and  
VITAMIN C vegetables, for example,  When exposed to heat during cooking, vitamin C is oxidised which destroys it.
West Indian cherries, citrus  
fruit, raw green vegetables.  Sodium hydrogencarbonate (baking soda) is occasionally added to fruits and vegetables to
improve appearance and texture. This neutralises any vitamin C in the foods which reduces its
content.

     Lime juice can be used to remove rust stains from clothing. The acid in the juice reacts with the
CITRIC ACID In citrus fruit, for example, iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) in the rust stains. This makes a soluble compound which washes out of
Limes and lemons the clothes removing the rusty yellow Fe3+ ions.
 
Fe2O3 (s) + 6H+ (aq)  2Fe3+(aq) + 3H20(l)
iron (III) oxide in the acid washes out of clothes
 

     Methanoic acid can cause itching, swelling, redness and pain around the sting.
METHANOIC ACID In the venom of Ants  
 Ant stings can be treated by applying a paste of sodium hydrogencarbonate or calamine lotion
which contains zinc oxide. Both compounds neutralise the acid.
 
 

  Produced in the cells of  A person collapses if too much lactic acid builds up in the muscles because it prevents the
LACTIC ACID muscles during strenuous muscles from contracting.
activity.  
     Vinegar can be used to preserve food items. Its low pH denatures (destroys) enzymes that
ETHANOIC ACID In vinegar cause decay and prevents the growth of microorganisms, that is bacteria and fungi.
 
Source: Tindale, Anne: Collins Concise Revision Course CSEC Chemistry pages 66 & 67
 BASES
Bases are chemically opposite to acids.

Bases are substances which react with H+ ions in acids to produce a

salt and water only.
 
Bases include:

Metal oxides for example calcium oxide (CaO),

Metal hydroxides for example zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)2) and
Ammonia gas (NH3).
 ALKALIS
An ALKALI is a base which dissolves in water to form a solution that
contains OH- ions.

The hydroxides of the Group I metals for example:

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Aqueous Ammonia (NH3) (aq) are alkalis.
 
SOME COMMON LABORATORY ALKALIS ARE:
Sodium hydroxide – NaOH
Calcium hydroxide – Ca(OH)2
Potassium hydroxide – KOH
Aqueous Ammonia or Ammonium Hydroxide – NH4OH
 GENERAL PROPERTIES OF
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF ALKALIS
The presence of OH- ions in aqueous solutions of alkalis gives them their characteristic
properties.

These solutions are described as being alkaline and they have the following properties:

 They have a bitter taste

 They are corrosive
 They feel soapy
 They change red litmus to blue
 They have a pH value greater than 7
 They conduct an electric current that is, they are electrolytes.
 STRENGTH OF BASES
•STRONG
  BASES ionise completely in solution. For example: Group I
hydroxides are strong bases
Example:

WEAK BASES ionise only partially in solution. There are many more
molecules of un-ionised base present than there are ions.
 CHEMICAL REACTIONS OF BASES
Bases react with Acids

BASE + ACID  SALT + WATER

Bases react with Ammonium Salts

Bases react with ammonium salts to produce a salt, water and
ammonia when heated, for example:

BASE + AMMONIUM SALT  AMMONIA + SALT + WATER

 BASES REACT WITH AMMONIUM SALTS
• 
Sodium Hydroxide + Ammonium Chloride  Ammonia + Sodium Chloride + Water

 
Magnesium Hydroxide + Ammonium Chloride  Ammonia + Magnesium Chloride + Water

  Calcium Oxide + Ammonium Sulphate  Ammonia + Calcium Sulphate + Water

 ACIDIC OXIDES
•ACIDIC
  OXIDES react with alkalis to form a salt and water.

Many of them also react with water to form acids that is they are acid
anhydrides.

They are all oxides of non-metals.

 BASIC OXIDES
•BASIC
  OXIDES react with acids to form a salt and water.

Group I and some group II oxides react with water to form hydroxides.
 

 
 AMPHOTERIC OXIDES
• 
AMPHOTERIC OXIDES react with both acids and alkalis.
Aluminium oxide react with acids to form aluminium salts and water, and with alkalis
to form aluminates.

AMPHOTERIC OXIDE OR HYDROXIDE + ACID  SALT + WATER

 

AMPHOTERIC OXIDE OR HYDROXIDE + STRONG ALKALI  SALT + WATER

Sodium aluminate
 Similarly, zinc oxide reacts with acids to form zinc salts and water, and with alkalis to form zincates for
example Na2ZnO2.
 AMPHOTERIC OXIDES AND HYDROXIDES

AMPHOTERIC OXIDE AMPHOTERIC SALTS FORMED WHEN ANION PRESENT IN

HYDROXIDE REACTING WITH A THE SALT
STRONG ALKALI
Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) Aluminium hydroxide Aluminates AlO2-
(Al(OH)3)
Zinc oxide (ZnO) Zinc hydroxide Zincates ZnO22-
(Zn(OH)2)
Lead (II) oxide (PbO) Lead (II) hydroxide Plumbates PbO22-
(Pb(OH)2)

Source: Tindale, Anne: Collins Concise Revision Course CSEC Chemistry page 69
 NEUTRAL OXIDES
NEUTRAL OXIDES do not react with acids and alkalis.

Example:
1. Nitrogen (I) oxide (N2O)
2. Nitrogen (II) oxide (NO)
 REVIEW EXERCISE
1. What is an Acid?
2.  List the general properties of acids.
3. Provide three (3) examples of acids used in the laboratory.
4. What is an Acid Anhydride?
5. Give three (3) examples of acid anhydrides and the acids they form.
6. List three (3) acids found in living systems and state where they are found?
7. Explain the reason for EACH of the following: 
i) Lime juice can be used to remove rust stains from clothes.
ii) Vinegar is used to preserve certain food items.
8. List three (3) modes of classifying acids.
9. Explain the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid using H2SO4 and CH3COOH as examples.
10. Determine the basicity (protocity) of each of the following acids:
i. HNO3
ii. H3PO4
iii. HNO2
iv. H2CO3
v. CH3COOH
 REVIEW EXERCISE
11. Complete the word equations and write balanced chemical equations for the reactions between:

i. Potassium carbonate and nitric acid

ii. Potassium hydroxide and sulphuric acid
iii. Calcium and hydrochloric acid
iv. Magnesium hydrogencarbonate and sulphuric acid
v. Zinc and hydrochloric acid
vi. Iron hydrogencarbonate and nitric acid
vii. Ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid
viii. Calcium carbonate and nitric acid
ix. Calcium hydrogencarbonate and hydrochloric acid
x. Ethanoic acid and calcium hydroxide
 REVIEW EXERCISE
12. What is a Base?
13. Explain the relationship between an alkali and a base.
14. Name two common laboratory alkalis and their effects on two named indicators.
15. Give FOUR properties, other than their chemical reactions, which are typical of aqueous alkalis.
16. Dilute calcium hydroxide was warmed with ammonium sulphate.
a) What would you expect to observe when moist red and blue litmus paper are placed at the mouth of the test
tube?
b) Identify the gas produced.
c) Write an equation for the reaction occurring.
17. Write balanced chemical equations for the reactions between:
a) Magnesium oxide and ammonium nitrate
b) Sodium hydroxide and ammonium sulphate
18. Identify the FOUR groups into which oxides can be classified, distinguish between them and give a named example of an
oxide belonging to EACH group.
 REFERENCE TEXTBOOKS

• CXC Study Guide: Chemistry for CSEC

• Nazir, Joanne: Chemistry Explained – A CXC Course

• Tindale, Anne: Collins Concise Revision Course CSEC Chemistry