ACIDS & BASES
What is an Acid?
An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in a water solution
Acids contain hydrogen in their chemical formula
These hydrogen ions react with the water molecules and form hydronium ions (H3O+)
Properties of an Acid
Sour Taste Corrosive Changes color when reacting with an
indicator An indicator is an organic compound that
changes color in acid and base. Acids will turn blue litmus paper red
Common Acids
Foods such as citrus fruits, yogurt, pickles contain acid
Your stomach uses hydrochloric acid to digest food
Sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are used in industrial applications
Common Acids
Acid Uses
Acetic acid Vinegar
Acetylsalicylic acid
Asprin
Asorbic acid Vitamin C
Carbonic acid In carbonated drinks
Hydrochloric acid
In stomach, used to clean steel
Nitric Acid Used to make fertilizers
Phosphoric acid Used to make detergent, fertilizer, soft drinks
Sulfuric acid Car batteries, fertilizers, and other chemicals
What is a Base?
Any substance that forms hydroxide ions (OH-) in a water solution is called a base
Most bases will end in hydroxide (OH)
Properties of Bases
Bitter taste Slippery to touch Corrosive Create a predictable color change with
an indicator Turns litmus paper blue In their pure state, many bases are
solids
Common Bases
Used in drain cleaners Soap Milk of magnesia
Common Bases
Base UseAluminum hydroxide
Color-fast farics, antacid, water treatment
Calcium hydroxide
Leather making, plaster
Magnesium hydroxide
Laxative, antacid
Sodium hydroxide Makes soap, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, paper
Sodium Hypochlorite
Bleach
Ammonia Cleaner, fertilizer, to make rayon and nylon
Solutions of Acids and Bases Many common acids and bases are
actually solutions Cleaning products and vinegar are a
solution of base or acid
Ammonia
Ammonia is a base that does not contain OH-
Ammonia is a gas Ammonia is used as a cleaner for glass,
metal and porcelain
What is a salt?
A salt is a compound formed when the negative ions from an acid combine with the positive ions of a base
Neutrilization is a chemical reaction between an acid and a base that takes place in a water solution, the products of which are water and salts
Acid/Base Reactions
The general formula for an acid/base reaction is acid + base -> salt + water