ACIDS and BASES Notes & Worksheet a.

reactive metal + acid → salt + hydrogen gas

e.g. Mg (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → MgSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

Acids
 Testing for H2

1) Acids are compounds which produce hydrogen ions, H +, when Test: Place a lighted splint at mouth of test tube.
dissolved in water. All acids contain hydrogen, but not all
hydrogen-containing compounds are acids (e.g. NH3, CH4). Observation: Lighted splint extinguishes with a ‘pop’.

Exceptions:
2) Physical properties of acids ·         Unreactive metals metals like copper and silver
will not react with dilute acids.
a. Acids have a sour taste ·         When concentrated nitric acid is reacted with
metals, hydrogen gas is not produced. Instead, a nitrate,
b. Acids can dissolve in water to form solutions which conduct water and nitrogen dioxide gas are formed.
electricity. ·         Lead appears not to react with dilute HCl and
H2SO4. A layer of insoluble lead (II) chloride or sulfate
c. Acids turn blue litmus paper red. is formed between the lead and the dilute acid from the
initial reaction. It quickly forms a coating around the
metal, preventing further reaction.
3) Chemical properties of acids
b. carbonate + acid → salt + water + carbon dioxide

e.g. CaCO3 (s) + 2HCl (aq) → CaCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2
(g)

Note: Hydrogencarbonates (HCO3) also react the same way.

Testing for CO2

Test: Bubble the gas through limewater (calcium

hydroxide).

Observation: CO2 reacts with limewater to form a white

precipitate.

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 Name Formula Strong Where is it found?
/Weak
c. base + acid → salt + water [Neutralisation]
e.g. ZnO (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + H2O (l) Hydrochloric acid HCl Strong The stomach, in the lab.

 Note: All bases, metal oxides or hydroxides, react with Sulphuric acid H2SO4 Strong Acid rain, car batteries, the lab.
acids in the same way.
Nitric acid HNO3 Strong Acid rain, in the lab.

Ethanoic (acetic) CH3COO Weak Vinegar

4) Role of water in acidity acid H

Acids are covalent compounds which show the properties of acids Methanoic HCOOH Weak Ant & nettle stings, descalers
only in aqueous state. This is because acids dissociate in water to (formic) acid
produce H+ ions which are responsible for acidic properties.
Citric Acid C6H8O7 Weak Citrus fruits
 Example of HCl:
·    Hydrogen chloride in organic solvent (e.g. alcohol):
Acids in the absence of water exists as simple covalent
molecules. No dissociation occurs- remain as HCl molecule.
·   Aqueous hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid): HCl Bases
molecules are dissociated/ ionised into H+ and Cl- ions.
HCl (aq) → H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
Qn: Explain why anhydrous citric acid does not conduct 5) A base is any metal oxide or hydroxide that reacts with an acid to
electricity but aqueous citric acid does? produce salt and water only through neutralisation. Bases that are
soluble in water are alkalis. Most bases are insoluble in water
Ans: Acids only conduct electricity in aqueous state because; free except alkalis, which include hydroxides of alkali metals (alkalis)
moving ions needed for conducting electricity are present only in and ammonia. Non-alkali bases like copper (II) oxide are
aqueous citric acid. No dissociation can occur without water (in insoluble and will not exist in aqueous state.
anhydrous citric acid).

Note: Acids conduct electricity by ions; metals and graphite

6) Chemical properties of bases (and alkalis)
conduct electricity by electrons.
a. base + acid → salt + water through a neutralisation
reaction.
Some common acids are listed below: e.g. NaOH (aq) + HCl (aq) → NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)

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 b. Bases, except ammonia, heated with ammonium
 In a neutralisation reaction, H ions from the acid and OH
+ -
salts give off ammonia gas.
ions from the base react to form a salt and water. The ionic
eqn for any neutralisation reaction is ammonium salt + base  salt + ammonia gas + water

H+ (aq) + OH- (aq) → H2O (l) e.g. 2NH4Cl (s) + Ca(OH)2 (aq) → CaCl2 (aq) + 2NH3 (g) +
2H2O (l)

Testing for NH3

Note: Test: Place a moist red litmus paper at the mouth of the test
·   If more than a salt and water is formed, it is not a tube.
neutralisation reaction. No gases are produced.
·   Neutralisation reactions are exothermic. Observation: The moist red litmus paper turns blue.
·   If equal amounts of HCl and NaOH are added, the
resulting mixture is pH 7. Should HCl be in excess, the
resulting mixture is pH 1.

Alkalis- a small class of bases

7) An alkali is a base that is soluble in water, and which dissociates
to form hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. All alkalis are
hydroxides of alkali metals (e.g. Lithium hydroxide) except
ammonia.

base + water → alkali

eg. sodium oxide (s) + water (l) → sodium hydroxide (aq)

Therefore, an alkali is the solution formed when a base

dissolves in water.

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 8) Alkalis will produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in water. Strength and pH
Dissociation: NaOH (aq)  Na+ (aq) + OH- (aq)

When ammonia gas is dissolved in water, ammonium ions and

hydroxide ions are formed.

Reaction with water: NH3 + H2O ⇌ NH4+ + OH-

The OH- ions produced are responsible for the properties of

alkalis.

9) Physical properties of alkalis

a. Alkalis have a bitter taste and soapy feel.

11) The strength of an acid/alkali refers to the extent to which it
b. Alkalis turn red litmus paper blue. dissociates into ions when dissolved in water. [state the ion]

12) Difference between strong and weak acids:

10) Chemical properties of alkalis ·         A strong acid dissociates completely in aqueous state
to form H+ ions. Almost all molecules dissociate to result in
a. Alkalis produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in a high concentration of H+ ions in the solution, hence a
water. strongly acidic pH. (e.g. HCl, pH 1)
HCl (aq) → H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
b. Acid + alkali → salt + water through a neutralisation
·         A weak acid dissociates only partially in aqueous
reaction. solution to form few H+ ions. Few molecules dissociate to
c. ammonium salt + alkali → salt + ammonia + water result in a low concentration of H+ ions in the solution,
hence a less acidic pH. (e.g. CH3COOH, pH 3)
d. salt (metal A) + alkali → salt (of metal B) + CH3COOH (aq) ⇌ H+ (aq) + CH3COO- (aq)
metal hydroxide [Precipitation] 14) The pH of a solution is calculated based on the concentration of
hydrogen or hydroxide ions in the solution.
e.g. iron (II) sulfate + sodium hydroxide → iron (II)
hydroxide + sodium sulfate High concentration of H+ ions → low pH → strong acid.

Equal concentration of H+ and OH- ions → neutral solution

(H2O).

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 Name Formula Where is it found?
pH can therefore be used to compare the strength of acids and
alkalis of similar concentration. Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) NaOH Oven cleaners, in the lab.

Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 Soil lime, limewater

15) Testing for relative acidity (weak/strong acid):
Magnesium oxide (magnesia) MgO Indigestion tablets
Qn: Describe a simple test to determine the stronger acid
Calcium carbonate CaCO3 Limestone, soil lime
between 2 different acids.
·         Add a few drops of Universal Indicator into Sodium hydrogencarbonate NaHCO3 Baking powder
solutions of equal concentrations of each acid. (bicarbonate)
·         A strong acid will give red while a weak acid will
give yellow or orange. Ammonia NH3 Cleaning fluids, in the lab.

OR (without using indicators)

·         Add magnesium ribbon into both acids (equal

concentration) in separate test tubes.

·         The acid which can completely react with the magnesium Cheers
in a shorter time is the stronger acid.
WORKSHEET on ACIDS & BASES
pH of soils
FILL IN THE BLANKS
16) Importance of controlling pH in soils:
1. A substance which can produce H+ ions when it is reacting with
The pH of soil affects the growth and development of plants.
Most plants grow best at pH 6 to 7, and they will not grow in water is called ……………………….
soil that is too acidic.
2. A substance which can produce OH- ions when it is reacting with

17) Controlling excess acidity: water is called ……………….

When the soil becomes too acidic, it can be treated with bases 3.The colour of litmus paper in acidic medium is………………………...
like quicklime (calcium oxide) and slaked lime (calcium
hydroxide). These bases react with the acids in the soil and raise 4.The colour of litmus in alkaline solution is ……………………………..
the pH for healthy plant growth.

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5.Vinegar is a weak acid MCQ SECTION

means……………………………………………………..………………..
1. Which is the strongest acid?
6..……………………………..….…give acidic character to the acid (a) Vinegar. (c) Baking soda
(b) Wine (d) Lime water.
7. In dilute acid the amount of water is ……………………………….…

8. In a concentrated solution the amount of water is ………………..… 2. Complete the word equation:
ammonia + nitric acid →
9. The amount of H+ ions in a solution is called ……………………….. (a) Ammonium hydrogen nitrate (b) Ammonium nitrite
(b) Ammonium nitrite. (c) Ammonium nitrate
10. The pH of a solution is 3.it is ……………………………………….. 3. Which of these gives an alkaline solution when dissolved in water?
11. The pH of a solution is 7 it is an…………………………………..… (a) Copper hydroxide (b) Iron hydroxide.
(c) Ammonia (ammonium hydroxide) (d) Aluminium hydroxide.
12. The pH of ac solution is 14.it is an………………………………..…

13. The pH range of a strong acid is……………………………………. 4. Which four numbers a, b, c, and d is required to balance the
equation.
14. The pH range of a weak acid is ……………………………………. a Al(s) + bHCl(aq) → cAlCl3(aq) + dH2(g)
(a) 2 6 3 3 (c) 1 3 3 2
15. The pH of a solution is checked by an instrument is (b) 2 3 2 (d) 1 6 3 2

called…………………………………………………………………………
5. Which of the following is a property of Ethanoic acid but it is not a
16. The substance which shows different colours in different PH property of sulfuric acid?
(a) It reacts with copper (ii) oxide (b)It reacts with magnesium
is called ………………………………………………………….… (c) reacts with sodium carbonate (d) dissociates partially to form H+

17. The colour of methyl orange in acid solution is ……………………

6. A bee sting is acidic. Which House hold substance will neutralize
a bee sting?
18 the colour of methyl orange in an alkaline solution is………………
(a) Damp bicarbonate of soda pH 8 (b) Damp common salt pH 7
(c) Lemmon juice pH 5 (d) Vinegar pH 4
19. The colour of phenolphthalein in alkaline solution is………………

20 The colour of phenolphthalein in acid medium is …………………… 7. Which equation represents the neutralization of dil.sulfuric acid by
aqueous sodium hydroxide?
21. The colour of Phenolphthalein in neutral solution is………….…….
(a) H +(aq) + OH - (aq) → H2O(aq)
(b) H2SO4(aq) + 2OH-(aq → O2- + 2H2O(l)
22. The solution which have the pH 7 is …………………………………
(c) 2 Na+(aq) +SO4 2- (aq) →Na2SO4 (aq)
(d) NaOH(aq) +H+ (aq) → Na+(aq) +H2O (l)

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 (d) H2CO3 + K → _____________________ + _____________________

8. An excess of acid in the stomach causes indigestion that can be (e) HNO3 + Rb →______________________ + ____________________
cured by Anti –Indigestion tablet. What should the tablet contain to
decrease the acidity? (f) HNO3 + Fe → _____________________ + ____________________
(a) Acidic substance
(b) A Neutral substance
(c) An alkaline substance
(d) A carbonate B) Acid + carbonate → ………….……… + ......................

+ ..............................
9. Which reaction does not involve neutralisation?
(a) H2SO4(aq) + 2NH3(aq) → (NH4)2SO4(aq) (a) HCl + Na2CO3 → __________ + __________ +
(b) H2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) → BaSO4(s) + 2HCl(aq)
(c) H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) → CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l) __________
(d) H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
(b) H2SO4 + Li2CO3 → __________ + __________ +
10. Which reaction would form carbondioxide? __________
(a) H2SO4(aq) + 2NH3(aq))
(b) H2SO4(aq) + BaCl2(aq) (c) HNO3 + Na2CO3 → __________ + __________ +
(c) H2SO4(aq) + Ca(OH)2(s)
(d) H2SO4(aq) + NaHCO3(aq __________

11. Which two gases each change the colour of damp red litmus C) alkali + ammonium salt →…………….……… + ......................
paper?
(a) ammonia and chlorine + ...................
(b) ammonia and hydrogen chloride Complete the following equations and balance them.
(c) carbon dioxide and chlorine
(d) carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide
a) NaOH(aq) + NH4Cl(aq) → ……….. +………… +
Work out Questions
………………
A) Acid + metal → ……………….……… + ………………… b) KOH + (NH4)2SO4 → ……….. +………… +
(a) HCl +Na → ______________________ + _____________________ ………………
(b) HBr + Zn → ______________________ + _____________________ c) KOH + (NH4)2CO3 → ……….. +………… +
(c) H2SO4 + Mg → ____________________ + _____________________ ………………

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d) NaOH + (NH4)2SO4 → ……….. +………… + Name the gas produced and explain why the farmer should not have
added these two compounds to the soil at the same time.
………………
………………………………………………………………………
e) KOH + NH4Br → ……….. +………… +
………………………………………………………………………
………………
………………………………………………………………………
Classify the following oxides as acidic, basic, amphoteric and
neutral. ………………………………………………………………………

MgO………………… CO2…………………….…
CaO……………….… K2O…………………….…
(iv) Write down a balanced equation for the reaction of calcium oxide
CuO……………….... ZnO…………………….… with carbonic acid.
NO………………….. MnO2………………….…. ………………………………………………………………………
FeO………………… PbO ……………………...
2. Dilute ethanoic acid and dilute hydrochloric acid both react with
iron to form hydrogen.
(a) Give the formula of one ion found in both of these dilute acids.
THEORY SECTION ………………………………………………………………………

1. Fertilisers are added to the soil to improve crop yields.

(i) When the soils become acidic the farmer added Calcium Oxide to (b) Write an equation of Iron reacting with hydrochloric acid.
neutralise the soil.
Suggest why calcium oxide is used to neutralise acidic soils. ………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………… (c) Write an equation for the reaction between dilute hydrochloric acid
and sodium carbonate.
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
(ii)Write an equation to represent the reaction that takes place
write down the test for the gas produced during this reaction?
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………
(iii) A reaction occurs between calcium hydroxide and ammonium
sulphate.

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(d) A reaction occurs between calcium hydroxide and ammonium ………………………………………………………………………
sulfate.
(i) Complete the equation for this reaction and balance it.
………………………………………………………………………

Ca(OH)2 + (NH4)2SO4 ………………………………………………………………………

4. This question is about oxides. Use only the following oxides as

3. A student adds aqueous sodium hydroxide from a burette in to 25 answers.
cm3 of dilute sulfuric acid. The student measures the pH value of the
mixture during the addition of the sodium hydroxide. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, Copper (II) oxide ,
(a)Describe how the pH value changes? silicon dioxide, Sodium oxide, sulfur dioxide

……………………………………………………………………… (a) Which oxide has a macro molecular structure?

………………………………………………………………………
(b)Which oxide is used to bleach wood pulp in the manufacture of
………………………………………………………………………
paper?
(b)Give an ionic equation to represent the neutralization reaction
between sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid.
(c)Which oxides are basic?

………………………………………………………………………
(d)Which oxides are common atmospheric pollutants?
(c)Sulfuric acid is a strong acid
(i) What is meant by the term acid?
(e)Which oxide is the main constituent of sand?
………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………… (f)Which oxide gives a blue solution when heated with dilute sulfuric
acid?
(ii)What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid?

………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………
5. Use the list of elements to answer the questions that follow.

……………………………………………………………………… Bromine carbon chromium helium

Magnesium sodium phosphorous sulfur

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In your answers you may use an element once, more than once, or
not at all.
Choose one element which

(a) forms a basic oxide

(b)Has a high density and forms coloured compounds,

(c)Is composed of diatomic molecules,

(d)is a liquid at room temperature and pressure,

(e)Exist as allotropes.

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