Acids
What is an acid?
Any substance that when in water it releases a hydrogen ion (h+)
Example of acid
In your stomach you have hydrochloric acid (Hcl) that is there to break down your food
How do we know hcl is an acid?
Because when its added to water it will release the h+
Bases/alkali
What is a base?
Is a substance that when dissolved in water it releases a hydroxide ion (oh-)
Example of a base?
In soap manufacturing they add sodium hydroxide (naoh) which helps cleaning
How do we know NaOH is an alkali ?
Because when its added to water it will release the OH-
Acids
Hcl - hydrochloric acid h+
H2so4 - sulfuric acid h+
Hno3 - nitric acid h+
Base
Naoh - sodium hydroxide oh
Koh - potassium hydroxide oh-
Na hco3 - sodium bicarbonate oh-
Why’s sodium bicarbonate a base?
It’s bicarbonate ion acts as a proton acceptor
Na hco3
Na - sodium ion (na+)
Ho - hydroxide ion (oh-)
C3 - carbon dioxide (co2)
How do you measure an acid or alkaline?
On a ph scale - measures the relative acidity and alkalinity of solutions
Characteristics of acids
- conduct electricity
- have sour taste
- changes blue litmus paper to red
H+ ph range less than 7
What does characteristics of acids do?
React with bases to neutralise their properties by producing water
Equation
Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide = sodium chloride (salt) + water
Characteristics of bases
- conducts electricity
- Changes red litmus paper to blue
- slippery to touch
Oh- ph greater than 7
What does characteristics of bases do?
React with acids to neutralize their properties by producing water
Equation
Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide = sodium chloride (salt) + water
What are acids?
They are compounds with many h+ ions, these are corrosive
What are alkalis?
These are compounds with many oh- ions are corrosive
