ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS

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organisms.
• So, factory wastes are neutralised with basic substances before releasing them into water
bodies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGES

Chapter 1 Acids, Bases and Salts 1-16

Chapter 2 Physical and Chemical Changes 17-32

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Acid + Base → Salt + Water

Applications of neutralisation
People particularly of old age suffer from acidity problems in the stomach which is caused mainly
due to release of excessive gastric juices containing HCI. The acidity is neutralised by antacid
tablets which contain sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda), magnesium hydroxide etc.

The stings of bees and ants contain formic acid. Its corrosive and poisonous effect can be
neutralised by rubbing soap which contains NaOH (an alkali).

The stings of wasps contain an alkali and its poisonous effect can be neutralised by an acid like
acetic acid (present in vinegar).

Farmers generally neutralize the effect of acidity in the soil caused by acid rain by adding
slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide) to the soil.

Neutralisation in Everyday Life

Indigestion
CHAPTER-1: ACIDS BASES AND SALTS
Our stomach contains hydrochloric acid. However, presence of a large quantity of acid in the
stomach causes indigestion. To relieve this, we take an antacid such as milk of magnesia, which
contains magnesium hydroxide base to neutralise the effect of excessive acid.

Ant Bite

The sting of an ant contains formic acid. When an ant bites, the effect of the sting can be
neutralised by rubbing a base like moist baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) or calamine
solution, which contains zinc carbonate.

Soil Treatment

When soil is too acidic, it is treated with bases like quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime
(calcium hydroxide). If the soil is basic, organic matter is added to it. Organic matter releases
acids which neutralise the basic nature of the soil.

Factory Wastes
• The wastes of many factories contain acids.
• If the waste is allowed to enter the water bodies, the acid will kill the fish and other aquatic

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glass and caustic soda. It is used in fire extinguishers. It is used in the manufacture of Acids, Bases and Salts
detergents.
Chemicals can be broadly classified into three categories, acids, bases and salts.
• Chile saltpetre: It is used in the manufacture of nitric acid, gun powder and fire works.
Acids
• Nitre: It is used as a fertiliser. It is also used in the manufacture of gun powder, fire works
• Acids are substances which taste sour.
and nitric acid.
• They maybe corrosive or non-corrosive.
• Smelling salt: It provides relief from common cold. Examples:
Hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid are corrosive acids. Carbonic acid is a non-corrosive
• Epsom salt: It is used as a laxative by patients suffering from constipation.
acid.
• Green vitriol: It is used in making blue black inks and in curing leather. • Acids turn blue litmus red.
• There are two types of acids:
• Blue vitriol: It is used as fungicide in agriculture. It is used in dyeing and printing industry.
It is used in electroplating copper metal. Organic acids: Naturally occurring acids obtained from plants and animals. Mineral acids:
They are obtained from minerals present in the Earth’s crust.
• Plaster of Paris: It is used for making statues. It is used for setting broken bones.
Bases
• Potash alum: It helps in rapid settling of suspended impurities in water. It is used for the
purification of water. • Bases are substances which are bitter in taste and soapy to touch.
Examples: Calcium hydroxide and zinc hydroxide
Neutralisation • Water-soluble bases are called alkalis.
• Example: Sodium hydroxide
• Bases turn red litmus blue.

Indicators
An indicator is a substance which illustrates the presence of a chemical substance by changing
colour. Indicators can be natural or synthetic. For example, litmus, turmeric and China rose are
naturally occurring indicators, while methyl orange and phenolphthalein are synthetically
produced indicators.

Natural Indicators

Litmus Paper:
Acids turn blue litmus red and bases turn red litmus blue. The solutions which do not change
the colour of either red or blue litmus are known as neutral solutions.
The reaction in which an acid reacts with a base to form a salt and water is called a Turmeric:
neutralisation reaction. It is yellow in an acidic medium and turns reddish brown in a basic medium.

China Rose:

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It turns the colour of acidic solutions to dark pink (magenta) and that of basic solutions to Synthetic Indicators
green.
Substances which do not change the colour of either red or blue litmus are known as neutral Phenolphthalein:
substances. These substances are neither acidic nor basic. It remains colourless in an acidic medium and turns pink in a basic medium.

Activity of Indicators Acid Rain

• Rain which contains a higher level of acid than normal is called acid rain.
Mix some water with lemon juice in a plastic cup/tumbler/test tube. Then Put a drop of the above
• Rain becomes acidic because carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide (which
solution on a strip of the red litmus paper with the help of a dropper. Is there any changein color? are released into the air as pollutants) dissolve in the rain drops to form carbonic acid,
Repeat the same exercise with the blue litmus paper. Note down if there is anychange in sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively.
color. Perform the same activity with the following substances: Tap water, detergent solution,
aerated drink, soap solution, shampoo, common salt solution, sugar solution, vinegar, baking Salts
soda solution, milk of magnesia, washing soda solution, lime water. If possible make solutions in Salts are produced by the neutralisation of acids with bases. During this process, water is also
distilled water. Record your observations and make a Table of your result, than check are there produced along with the evolution of heat.
any substances on which litmus had no effect? Name those substances. The solutions which do Example: Hydrochloric acid on reaction with sodium hydroxide gives sodium chloride salt along
not change the color of either red or blue litmus are known as neutral solutions. These substances with water.
are neither acidic nor basic. HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O

USES OF SALTS:
• As a table salt.

• In the manufacture of butter and cheese.

• In leather industry.

• In the manufacturing of washing soda and baking soda.

• For the preparation of sodium hydroxide by electrolysis of brine.

• In cold countries rock salt is spread on ice to melt it.

USES OF SALTS IN DAILY LIFE

• Common salt: It is used in large amount as table salt. It is used for preservation of food in
pickling. It is used to preserve raw hides. It is used in the manufacture of chemicals such
as chlorine and caustic soda (NaOH).

• Baking soda: It is used for making baking powder. It is used for preparing antacid tablets,
for controlling acidity of stomach.

• Washing soda: It is used by washermen to wash clothes. It is used in manufacture of

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