Chapter 2 Acids Bases and Salts

Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark]

Q. The pH of a sample of vegetable soup was found to be 6.5. How is this soup likely
to taste?

Answer. The taste will be slightly sour as it is weakly acidic.

Q. Which bases are called alkalies? Give an example of alkalies.

Answer. Soluble bases are called alkalies, e.g. sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Q. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium carbonate
and hydrochloric acid indicating the physical state of the reactants and the products.

Answer.

Q. Write a balanced chemical equation for a neutralisation reaction, mentioning the

physical state of the reactants and the products.

Answer.

Q. What would be the colour of red litmus in a solution of sodium carbonate?

Answer. The red litmus will change to blue in sodium carbonate solution.

Q.Which gas is evolved when sodium hydrogencarbonate reacts with dilute

hydrochloric acid?

Answer. Carbon dioxide gas is evolved.

Q. Curd is not kept in copper and brass utensils. Why?

Answer. Curd and sour substances contain acids which react with brass and copper vessels to
form poisonous salts which are harmful for our health.

Q. Name the gas usually liberated when a dilute acid reacts with a metal. What
happens when a burning candle is brought near this gas?

Answer. H2 gas is liberated. It burns with pop sound when burning candle is brought near the
gas.

Q. What effect does an increase in concentration of H+(aq.) in a solution have on the

pH of solution?
Answer.Higher the concentration, lower will be pH of the solution.

Q. Which one of these has a higher concentration of H+ ions ? 1 M HCl or 1

M CH3COOH
Answer. 1 M HCl has higher concentration of H+ ions.

Q. Why does 1 M HC1 solution have a higher concentration of H+ ions than 1 M

CH3COOH solution?

Answer. 1 M HCl has higher cone, of (H+) because it ionises completely in aqueous solution
whereas CH3COOHdoes not as it is weak acid.

Q. Which gas is generally liberated when a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid reacts
with an active metal?

Answer. Hydrogen gas is liberated when active metal reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid

Q. What is the colour of litmus in a solution of ammonium hydroxide?

Answer. Red litmus will turn blue in ammonium hydroxide.

Q. How will you test for the gas which is liberated when hydrochloric acid reacts with
an active metal?
Answer. Bring a burning matchstick near the gas. It burns with ‘pop’ sound showing that it is
hydrogen.

Short Answer Type Questions [2 Marks]

Q. Name the acid present in the following:

(i) Tomato (ii) Vinegar (iii) Tamarind

Answer. (i) Oxalic acid (ii) Acetic acid (iii) Tartaric acid

Q. 15 mL of water and 10 mL of sulphuric acid are to be mixed in a beaker

(i) State the method that should be followed with reason.
(ii)What is this process called?

Answer.
(i) The acid is to be added slowly in water to prevent the mixture to be splashed. The
reaction is highly exothermic, therefore, constant cooling should be done.
(ii)The process is called dilution.

Q. Explain how antacid works.

Answer. Hyperacidity is caused by excess of hydrochloric acid in stomach. Antacid is basic in

nature. It neutralizes excess of acid and gives relief from pain caused by hyperacidity.

Q. Name the natural source of each of the following acid

(i) Citric acid. (ii)Oxalic acid.
(iii)Lactic acid. (iv)Tartaric acid.

Answer.
(i) Lemon and orange.(ii)Tomatoes and Guava.
(iii)Sour milk (curd).(iv)Tamarind.

Q. A student detected the pH of four unknown solution A, B, C and D as follows 11, 5,

7 and 2. Predict the nature of the solution.
Answer. A is basic ‘B’ is acidic ‘C’ is natural and ‘D’ is strongly acidic.
Q. State the chemical name of Plaster of Paris. Write a chemical equation to show the
reaction between Plaster of Paris and water.

Answer. Calcium sulphate hemihydrate.

Q. State in brief the preparation of washing soda from baking soda. Write balanced
chemical equation of the reaction involved.

Answer. Sodium hydrogencarbonate (baking soda) on heating gives sodium carbonate which
on recrystallisation gives washing soda

Q. What is the colour of FeSO4.7H2O crystals? How does this colour change upon
heating? Give balanced chemical equation for the changes.
Answer. Pale green is the colour of FeSO4.7H2O crystals. It becomes dirty white on heating.

Q. Classify the following salts into acidic, basic and neutral: Potassium sulphate,
ammonium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride.

Answer. Neutral: Potassium sulphate, Sodium chloride Acidic: Ammonium chloride Basic:
Sodium carbonate

Q. A student dropped few pieces of marble in dilute HC1 contained in a test tube. The
evolved gas was passed through lime water.
(i) What change would be observed in lime water?
(ii) Write balanced chemical equation for the above change.

Answer.
(i) Lime water will turn milky due to formation of calcium carbonate.
(ii) Ca(OH) 2 (aq) + CO2 (g)—> Ca CO3 (s) + HaO(l)

Q. What happens when chlorine is passed over slaked lime at 313K? Write chemical
equation of the reaction involved and state two uses of the product obtained.

Answer. Bleaching powder is formed.

(i) It is used as bleaching agent in paper and textile industries.

(ii)It is used as disinfectant in purification of drinking water

Q. What is meant by ‘water of crystallisation’ of a substance ?

Describe an activity to show that blue copper sulphate crystals contain water of
crystallisation.

Answer. The water molecules associated with a crystalline substance is called ‘water of
crystallisation’.
To show crystalline salts contain water of crystallisation.
Materials Required: CuS04.5H20 (Blue vitriol), boiling tube, burner, cork, delivery tube, test
tube, clamp stand.
Procedure:
1. Take 2g of CuS04.5H20 in a boiling tube fitted in a clamp stand.
2. Observe its colour. Fit it with cork and delivery tube bent at two right angles which dips into a
test tube.
3. Heat crystals in boiling tube. ‘
4. Observe vapours being condensed in test tube.
5. Cool the crystals and add few drops of water into it.
Observation: Water vapours get condensed in a test tube and colour of blue crystals changes
into white. On adding water to anhydrous copper sulphate, it changes into blue again.
Chemical Reaction:

Blue vitriol White

Conclusion: Crystalline substances have water of crystallisation which are lost on heating.

Short Answer Type Questions [3 Marks]

Q. (a) Define olfactory indicators. Name two subtances which can be used as olfactory
indicator.
(b) Choose strong acids from the following:
CH3COOH, H2SO4, H2CO3, HNO3

Answer.
(a) Those substances whose smell (odour) changes in acidic or basic solution are called
olfactory indicators, e.g. onion and vanilla.
(b) H2SO4 and HNO3 are strong acids.

Q. A white coloured powder is used by doctors for supporting fractured bones.

(a) Write chemical name and formula of the powder.
(b) When this white powder is mixed with water a hard solid mass is obtained. Write
balanced chemical equation for the change.
Answer.

Q. Explain the action of dilute hydrochloric acid on the following with chemical
equation:
(i) Magnesium ribbon (ii) Sodium hydroxide (iii) Crushed egg shells

Answer.

Q. (i) Give the constituents of baking powder

(ii) Why cake or bread swells on adding baking powder? Write chemical equation.

Answer.
(i) Baking powder containg sodium hydrogen carbonate and tartaric acid.
(ii)It is due to carbon dioxide

Q. (a) Write the name given to bases that are highly soluble in water. Give an
example.
(b) How is tooth decay related to pH? How can it be prevented?
(c) Why does bee sting cause pain and irritation? Rubbing of baking soda on the sting
area gives relief. How?

Answer. (a) Alkali, e.g. NaOH (Sodium hydroxide).

(b) Lower the pH, more will be tooth decay. Acid reacts with Ca3(PO4)2 and cause tooth decay.
It can be prevented by brushing teeth after every meal.
(ic) It is due to formic acid. Sodium hydrogencarbonate (Baking soda) neutralises formic acid
giving relief.

Q. A white powder is added while baking breads and cakes to make them soft and
fluffy. Write the name of the powder. Name its main ingredients. Explain the function
of each ingredient. Write the chemical reaction taking place when the powder is
heated during baking.

Answer. Baking powder.

It consist of sodium hyrogencarbonate and tartaric acid.
Sodium hydrogencarbonate gives CO2 which makes cake soft and fluffy. Tartaric acid neutralizes
the bitterness due to sodium carbonate produced.
Q. “Sodium hydrogencarbonate is a basic salt”. Justify the statement. How is it
converted into washing soda? Explain.

Answer. Sodium hydrogencarbonate is a salt of sodium hydroxide (strong base) and carbonic
acid (weak acid).
It is basic salt. It is converted into washing soda by heating followed by crystallization.

Q. (a) What is universal indicator?

(b) Write the chemical equation involved in the preparation of sodium hydroxide.
Name the process.

Answer. (a) Universal indicator is the mixture of synthetic indicators which is used to find pH
of solutions.

Q. A gas ‘X’ reacts with lime water and forms a compound ‘Y’ which is used as a
bleaching agent in chemical industry. Identify ‘X’ and ‘Y\ Give the chemical equation
of the reactions involved.

Answer. ‘X’ is chlorine; ‘Y’ is bleaching powder.

Q. (i) Name the compound which is obtained from baking soda and is used to remove
permanent hardness of water.
(ii) Write its chemical formula.
(iii) What happens when it is recrystallised from its aqueous solution?

Answer.
(i) Sodium carbonate is obtained from baking soda and is used to remove hardness of water.
(ii) Na2CO3 .
(iii) It changes to washing soda,Na2CO3. 10H2O .

Q. What is a neutralisation reaction? Give two examples.

Answer.

Q. What is tooth enamel chemically? State the condition when it starts corroding.
What happens when food particles left in the mouth after eating degrade? Why do
doctors suggest use of tooth powder/toothpaste to prevent tooth decay?

Answer. It is made up of calcium phosphate.

It starts corroding due to acid formed in mouth. The food particles which are left in mouth form
acids which cause tooth decay. Toothpaste and tooth powder are basic and neutralise acid
formed in mouth which prevents tooth decay.
Q. What is Plaster of Paris chemically? How is it prepared? List its two important
uses.

Answer. Calcium sulphate hemihydrate.

It is prepared by heating gypsum at 373 K.

(i) It is used to prepare chalks.

(ii) It is used to make casts and moulds.

Q. What is baking soda chemically called? Give reaction involved in its preparation.
Write one of its uses.

Answer. Sodium hydrogencarbonate.

It is used as an antacid.

Q. (a) What is an alkali? Give an example.

(b) Why do HCl, HNO3, etc. show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while
solutions of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?

Answer.
(a) Soluble bases arp called alkalies, e.g. sodibm hydroxide is an alkali.
(b) HCl, HNO3ionise in aqueous solution, whereas alcohol and glucose do not show acidic
characters because they do not ionise in aqueous solution.

Q. Compounds like alcohols and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not
categorised as acids. Discuss an activity to prove it.
Answer. Take a beaker of 250 ml and place two nails fixed with the help of cork.

• Connect the nails to the two terminals of a 6 volt battery as shown in figure.
• Now add some water containing ethanol and put the switch ON.
• Repeat the experiment with glucose solution.
Observation : K The bulb will not glow and the needle of ammeter will not show deflection
because glucose and ethanol do not conduct electricity.
Conclusion: The experiment shows glucose and ethanol do not ionise in aqueous solution, that
is, they do not give H+ ions, therefore cannot conduct electricity. Thus, glucose and ethanol are
not categorised as acids.

Q. A compound which is prepared from gypsum has the property of hardening when
mixed with proper quantity of water.
(i) Identify the compound.
(ii) Write the chemical equation for its preparation.
(iii) Mention one important use of this compound.

Answer.

Q. Name the products formed in each case when

(a) hydrochloric acid reacts with caustic soda.
(b) granulated zinc reacts with caustic soda.
(c) carbon dioxide is passed into lime water.

Answer.

Long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]

Q. State reason for the following statements:

(i) Tap water conducts electricity whereas distilled water does not.
(ii) Dry hydrogen chloride gas does not turn blue litmus red whereas dilute
hydrochloric acid does.
(iii) During summer season, a milk man usually adds a very small amount of baking
soda to fresh milk.
(iv) For a dilution of acid, acid is added into water and not water into acid.
(v) Ammonia is a base but does not contain hydroxyl group.

Answer.
(i) Tap water contains ions which conduct electricity, distilled water does not contain ions.
(ii)Dry HCl does not form ions but HCl gives H+ and Cl–.
(iii) Baking soda does not allow milk to change to lactic acid which makes milk sour.
(iv) Adding water to acid is highly exothermic. Therefore water is added to acid very slowly with
cooling.
(v) Ammonia dissolves in water and forms H– Therefore, it is basic in nature.

Q. (a) Write the chemical formula of hydrated copper sulphate and anhydrous copper
sulphate. Giving an activity illustrate how these are inter convertible.
(b) Write chemical names and formula of plaster of paris and gypsum.

Answer.
(a)CuSO4.5H2O is hydrated copper sulphate. CuSO4 is anhydrous copper sulphate.
Aim: To show crystalline salts contain water of crystallization.

Material Required: CuSO4.5H2O (Blue vitriol), boiling tube, burner, cork,

delivery tube, test tube, clamp stand.
Procedure: 1.Take 2g of CuSO4.5H2O in a boiling tube fitted in a clamp stand.
2.Observe its colour. Fit it with cork and delivery tube bent at two right angles which dips into a
test tube.
3.Heat crystals in boiling tube.
4.Observe vapours being condensed in test tube.
5.Cool the crystals and add few drops of water into it.
Observation:Water vapours get condensed in a test tube and colour
of blue crystals changes into white. On adding water to anhydrous copper sulphate it changes
into blue again.
Chemical Reaction :

Conclusion : Crystalline substances have water of crystallization which are lost on

heating. When we add water inCuSO4till a saturated solution is formed. On cooling, it gets
converted into CuSO4.5H2Ocrystals and it shows that both are inter convertible.

Q. (a) State the chemical properties on which the following uses of baking soda are
based:
(i) as an antacid
(ii) as a soda acid fire extiguisher
(iii) to make bread and cake soft and spongy.

Answer.
(b) How is washing soda is obtained from baking soda? Write balanced chemical equation.
(a) (i) It is weakly basic in nature and naturalize hyperacidity.
(ii)It liberates CO2 with H2SO4, which extinguish fire.
(iii) It liberates CO2 on heating which makes bread and cake soft and sponge.