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