Acids and Bases

I can compare/contrast the properties of acids, bases, and neutral

solutions.
I can identify a substance as acidic, basic, or neutral given its pH.
I can use indicators to determine whether a substance is acidic, basic, or
neutral.

Acids
any compound that increases the number of
hydronium ions - H3O+, when dissolved in
water
hydronium ions form when a hydrogen ion separates
from the acid and bonds with a water molecule

properties of acids

sour taste
changes color of substances
corrosive
most are poisonous

Indicators of Acids
indicator - a substance that changes color
in the presence of an acid or base
bromthymol blue - pale blue in water, turns yellow
with acid
litmus - paper strips that changes color when
touching acid or base

More Acid Info...

Acids react with metals and give off
hydrogen gas
2 HCl + Zn --> H2 + ZnCl2

Acids conduct electricity

acids dissolve in water and form ions - batteries

Common Acids
sulfuric acid - most widely used acid in industry
nitric acid - fertilizer, rubber, plastic
hydrochloric acid - refine metals, clean algae from
pools, stomach
Citric, Ascorbic (vitamin C), Carbonic

Bases
Any compound that increases the number of
hydroxide ions - OH-, when dissolved in
water
NaOH --> Na+ + OH hydroxide ions give bases their properties

properties
bitter taste
slippery feel
many are corrosive

Examples of Bases
soap - sodium hydroxide
bleach, detergents
baking soda - toothpaste, mouthwash

Indicators of Bases
indicator - a substance that changes color
in the presence of an acid or base
bromthymol blue - pale blue in water, turns darker
blue in base
litmus paper change colors

More Base info...

bases conduct electricty
OH- is a negative ion and helps with electrical
current

uses of bases
sodium hydroxide - soaps, paper, oven cleaners,
drains
calcium hydroxide - cement, plaster
ammonia - cleaners, fertilizers
aluminum hydroxide - antacids

Strong Acids, Weak Acids

an acid's strength is determined by how
many hydrogen ions are created when it
reacts with water
strong acids - all of the molecules of the acid break
down and form many ions
sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric
weak acids - few molecules of the acid break down
and form ions
acetic, citric, carbonic

Strong Bases, Weak Bases

base's strength determined by how many
OH- (hydroxide) ions are created with water
strong base - all the molecules of base form ions
sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide
weak base - few molecules form ions
ammonium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide

Neutralization Reactions
acids and bases can react to neutralize
themselves
hydrogen ions from acids react with hydroxide ions
from bases to form water, which is neutral
H+ + OH- --> H2O
other ions from the acids and bases can combine to
make salts

Antacids - eating an antacid (a base) will

react and neutralize stomach acid

pH Scale
litmus paper uses the pH scale as an
indicator of acids and bases
describes how acidic or basic a solution is

pH - measure of the hydronium ion

concentration in a solution

scale measures from 0-14

ph of 7 is neutral - pure water
bases have pH higher than 7
acids have pH less than 7
p. 375 has a good pH scale

pH Scale