Chapter 2 Acids Bases and Salts

Indicators: Indicators are substances which indicate the acidic or basic nature of the solution by the colour change.
Types of Indicator: There are many types of indicators. Some common types of indicators are:

1. Natural Indicators: Indicators obtained from natural sources are called Natural Indicators. Litmus, turmeric, red
cabbage, China rose, etc., are some common natural indicators used widely to show the acidic or basic character of
substances.
Litmus: Litmus is obtained from lichens. The solution of litmus is purple in colour. Litmus paper comes in two colours-
blue and red.
An acid turns blue litmus paper red.
A base turns red litmus paper blue.
Turmeric: Turmeric is another natural indicator. Turmeric is yellow in colour. Turmeric solution or paper turns reddish
brown with base. Turmeric does not change colour with acid.
Red Cabbage: The juice of red cabbage is originally purple in colour. Juice of red cabbage turns reddish with acid and
turns greenish with base.

2. Olfactory Indicator: Substances which change their smell when mixed with acid or base are known as Olfactory
Indicators. For example; Onion, vanilla etc.
Onion: Paste or juice of onion loses its smell when added with base. It does not change its smell with acid.
Vanilla: The smell of vanilla vanishes with base, but its smell does not vanish with an acid.
Olfactory Indicators are used to ensure the participation of visually impaired students in the laboratory.

3. Synthetic Indicator: Indicators that are synthesized in the laboratory are known as Synthetic Indicators. For
example; Phenolphthalein, methyl orange, etc.
Phenolphthalein is a colourless liquid. It remains colourless with acid but turns into pink with a base.
Methyl orange is originally orange in colour. It turns into the red with acid and turns into yellow with base.

Acids: Acids are sour in taste, turn blue litmus red, and dissolve in water to release H + ions.
Example: Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Acetic Acid (CH3COOH), Nitric Acid (HNO3) etc.
Properties of Acids:

• Acids have a sour taste.

• Turns blue litmus red.
• Acid solution conducts electricity.
• Release H+ ions in aqueous solution.

Types of Acids: Acids are divided into two types on the basis of their occurrence i.e., Natural acids and Mineral acids.
(i) Natural Acids: Acids which are obtained from natural sources are called Natural Acids or Organic Acids.
Examples:
Methanoic acid (HCOOH)
Acetic acid (CH3COOH)
Oxalic acid (C2H2O4) etc.

(ii) Mineral Acids: Acids that are prepared from minerals are known as Mineral Acids Example; Inorganic acids, man-
made acids or synthetic acid are also known as Mineral Acids.
Example:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
Nitric acid (HNO3)
Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) etc.

Chemical Properties of Acid:

(i) Reaction of acids with metal: Acids give hydrogen gas along with respective salt when they react with a metal.
Metal + Acid → Salt + Hydrogen
Examples:
Hydrogen gas and zinc chloride are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with zinc metal.

Hydrogen gas and sodium sulphate are formed when sulphuric acid reacts with sodium metal.

Test For Hydrogen Gas: The gas evolved after reaction of acid with metal can be tested by bringing a lighted candle
near it. If the gas bums with a pop sound, then it confirms the evolution of hydrogen gas. Burning with pop sound is
the characteristic test for hydrogen gas.

(ii) Reaction of acids with metal carbonate: Acids give carbon dioxide gas and respective salts along with water when
they react with metal carbonates.
Metal carbonate + Acid → Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water
Examples:
Hydrochloric acid gives carbon dioxide gas, sodium chloride along with water when reacts with sodium carbonate.

Sulphuric acid gives calcium sulphate, carbon dioxide gas, calcium sulphate and water when it reacts with calcium
carbonate

Nitric acid gives sodium nitrate, water and carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with sodium carbonate.

(iii) Reaction of acid with hydrogen carbonates (bicarbonates): Acids give carbon dioxide gas, respective salt and
water when they react with metal hydrogen carbonate.
Acid + Metal hydrogen carbonate → Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water
Example:
Sulphuric acid gives sodium sulphate, Carbon dioxide gas and water when it reacts with sodium bicarbonate.

Test For Evolution of Carbon Dioxide Gas: Carbon dioxide turns lime water milky when passed through it. This is the
characteristic test for carbon dioxide gas.
The gas evolved because of reaction of the acid with metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate turns lime water
milky. This shows that the gas is carbon dioxide gas. This happens because of the formation of a white precipitate of
calcium carbonate.

But when excess of carbon dioxide is passed through lime water, it makes milky colour of lime water disappear. This
happens because of formation of calcium hydrogen carbonate. As calcium hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water,
thus, the milky colour of solution mixture disappears.

Common in Acids: Acids give hydrogen gas when they react with metal. This shows that all acids contains hydrogen.
For example; Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3), etc.
When an acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydrogen. The dissociation of hydrogen ion in aqueous solution is
the common property in all acids. Because of the dissociation of hydrogen ion in aqueous solution, an acid shows
acidic behaviour.
Examples:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) gives hydrogen ion (H+) and chloride ion (Cl–) when it is dissolved in water.

Acetic acid (CH3COOH) gives acetate ion (CH3COO–) and hydrogen ion (H+).

Acids

Strong Acids
An acid which is completely ionised in water and produces (H+) is called Strong Acid.
Examples: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), Nitric acid (HNO3)

Weak Acids
An acid which is partially ionised in water and thus produces a small amount of hydrogen ions (H +) is called a Weak
Acid.
Example: Acetic acid (CH3COOH), Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

When a concentrated solution of acid is diluted by mixing water, then the concentration of Hydrogen ions (H +) or
hydronium ion (H3O–) per unit volume decreases.

Bases: Bases are bitter in taste, have soapy touch, turn red litmus blue and give hydroxide ions (OH –) in aqueous
solution.
Examples: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) – NaOH
Calcium hydroxide – Ca(OH)2
Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) – (KOH)

Properties of Bases:

• Have a bitter taste.

• Soapy to touch.
• Turns red litmus blue.
• Conducts electricity in solution.
• Release OH– ions in Aqueous Solution

Types of bases: Bases can be divided in two types – Water soluble and Water-insoluble.
The hydroxide of alkali and alkaline earth metals are soluble in water. These are also known as alkali.
For example; sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, etc. Alkali is considered a strong base.

Chemical properties of bases:

(i) Reaction of Base with Metals: When alkali (base) reacts with metal, it produces salt and hydrogen gas.
Alkali + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen
Examples: Sodium hydroxide gives hydrogen gas and sodium zincate when reacts with zinc metal.

Sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas are formed when sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminium metal.

(ii) Reaction of Base with Oxides of Non-metals: Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature. For example; carbon dioxide is
a non-metal oxide. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water it produces carbonic acid.
Therefore, when a base reacts with non-metal oxide, both neutralize each other resulting respective salt and water.
Base + Non-metal oxide → Salt + Water
(Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature)
Examples:
Sodium hydroxide gives sodium carbonate and water when it reacts with carbon dioxide.

Calcium hydroxide gives calcium carbonate and water when it reacts with carbon dioxide.

(iii) Neutralisation Reaction: An acid neutralizes a base when they react with each other and respective salt and water
are formed.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
Since, the reaction between acid and base both neutralize each other, hence, it is also known as Neutralization
Reaction.
Examples: Sodium chloride and water are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide (a strong
base).

In a similar way, calcium chloride is formed along with water when hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium hydroxide (a
base).

(iv) Reaction of Acid with Metal Oxides: Metal oxides are basic in nature. Thus, when an acid reacts with a metal
oxide both neutralize each other. In this reaction, the respective salt and water are formed.
Acid + Metal Oxide → Salt + Water
(Metal oxides are basic in nature)
Examples:
Calcium is a metal, thus, calcium oxide is a metallic oxide which is basic in nature. When an acid, such as hydrochloric
acid, reacts with calcium oxide, neutralization reaction takes place and calcium chloride, along with water is formed.

Similarly, when sulphuric acid reacts with zinc oxide, zinc sulphate and water are formed.

Common in all bases: A base dissociates hydroxide ion in water, which is responsible for the basic behaviour of a
compound.
Example: When sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydroxide ion and sodium ion.

Similarly, when potassium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydroxide ion and potassium ion.

Thus, the base shows its basic character because of dissociation of hydroxide ion.

Neutralisation Reaction: When an acid reacts with a base, the hydrogen ion of acid combines with the hydroxide ion of
base and forms water. As these ions combine together and form water instead of remaining free, thus, both neutralize
each other.

Example: When sodium hydroxide (a base) reacts with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide breaks into a sodium ion
and hydroxide ion and hydrochloric acid breaks into hydrogen ion and chloride ion.
Hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion combine together and form water, while sodium ion and chloride ion combine
together and form sodium chloride.

Dilution of Acid and Base: The concentration of hydrogen ion in an acid and hydroxide ion in a base, per unit volume,
shows the concentration of acid or base.

By mixing of acid to water, the concentration of hydrogen ion per unit volume decreases. Similarly, by addition of base
to water, the concentration of hydroxide ion per unit volume decreases. This process of addition of acid or base to
water is called Dilution and the acid or base is called Diluted.

The dilution of acid or base is exothermic. Thus, acid or base is always added to water and water is never added to
acid or base. If water is added to a concentrated acid or base, a lot of heat is generated, which may cause splashing
out of acid or base and may cause severe damage as concentrated acid and base are highly corrosive.

Strength of Acid and Base: Acids in which complete dissociation of hydrogen ion takes place are called Strong Acids.
Similarly, bases in which complete dissociation of hydroxide ion takes place are called Strong Bases.
In mineral acid, such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, etc. hydrogen ion dissociates completely and
hence, they are considered as strong acids. Since inorganic acids hydrogen ions do not dissociate completely, so they
are weak acids.

For water or neutral solutions : pH = 7

For acidic solutions : pH < 7
For basic solution : pH > 7

Universal Indicator: Using a litmus paper, phenolphthalein, methyl orange, etc. only the acidic or basic character of a
solution can be determined, but the use of these indicators does not give the idea about the strength of acid or base.
So, to get the strength as well as acidic and basic nature of a given solution universal indicator is used.

Universal indicator shows different colour over the range of pH value from 1 to 14 for a given solution. Universal
indicator is available both in the form of strips and solution. Universal indicator is the combination of many indicators,
such as water, propanol, phenolphthalein, sodium salt, sodium hydroxide, methyl red, bromothymol blue monosodium
salt, and thymol blue monosodium salt. The colour matching chart is supplied with a universal indicator which shows
the different colours for different values of pH.

pH value shown by different colours role of pH everyday life:

(i) pH in our digestive system: Dilute HCl (Hydrochloric acid) helps in digestion of food (proteins) in our stomach.
Excess acid in stomach causes acidity (indigestion). Antacids like magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH) 2] also known as
milk of magnesia and sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda) are used to neutralize excess acid.

(ii) Tooth decay caused by acids: The bacteria present in our mouth converts the sugar into acids. When the pH of
acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5, tooth-decaying starts. The excess acid has to be removed by cleaning the
teeth with a good quality toothpaste because these kinds of toothpaste are alkaline in nature.
(iii) Soil of pH and plant growth: Most of the plants have a healthy growth when the soil has a specific pH (close to 7)
range which should be neither alkaline nor highly acidic. Therefore,

• Compound ‘X’ is Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

• Compound ‘A’ is Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4).
• Compound ‘B’ is Sodium chloride (NaCl).
• Compound ‘C’ is Sodium acetate (CH3COONa)

Salts: Salts are the ionic compounds which are produced after the neutralization reaction between acid and base.
Salts are electrically neutral. There are number of salts but sodium chloride is the most common among them.
Sodium chloride is also known as table salt or common salt. Sodium chloride is used to enhance the taste of food.

Characteristics of salt:

• Most of the salts are crystalline soild.

• Salts may be transparent or opaque.
• Most of the salts are soluble in water.
• Solution of the salts conducts electricity in their molten state also.
• The salt may be salty, sour, sweet, bitter and umami (savoury).
• Neutral salts are odourless.
• Salts can be colourless or coloured.

Family of Salt: Salts having common acidic or basic radicals are said to belong to the same family.
Example:
(i) Sodium chloride (NaCl) and Calcium chloride (CaCl 2) belongs to chloride family.
(ii) Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and Calcium sulphate (CaSO4) belongs to calcium family.
(iii) Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) belongs to the zinc family.

Neutral, Acidic and Basic Salts:

(i) Neutral Salt: Salts produced because of reaction between a strong acid and strong base are neutral in nature. The
pH value of such salts is equal to 7, i.e. neutral.
Example : Sodium chloride, Sodium sulphate. Postassium chloride, etc.

Sodium chloride (NaCl): It is formed after the reaction between hydrochloric acid (a strong acid) and sodium
hydroxide (a strong base).

Sodium Sulphate (Na2SO4): It is formed after the reaction between sodium hydroxide (a strong base) and sulphuric
acid ( a strong acid).

Potassium Chloride (KCl): It is formed after the reaction between potassium hydroxide (a strong base) and
hydrochloric acid (a strong acid).

(ii) Acidic Salts: Salts which are formed after the reaction between a strong acid and weak base are called Acidic
salts. The pH value of acidic salt is lower than 7. For example Ammonium sulphate, Ammonium chloride, etc.
Ammonium chloride is formed after reaction between hydrochloric acid (a strong acid) and ammonium hydroxide (a
weak base).
Ammonium sulphate is formed after reaction between ammonium hydroxide (a weak base) and sulphuric acid (a
strong acid).

(iii) Basic Salts: Salts which are formed after the reaction between a weak acid and strong base are called Basic Salts.
For example; Sodium carbonate, Sodium acetate, etc.
Sodium carbonate is formed after the reaction between sodium hydroxide (a strong base) and carbonic acid (a weak
acid).

Sodium acetate is formed after the reaction between a strong base, sodium hydroxide (a strong base) and acetic acid,
(a weak acid).

Cause of formation of acidic, basic and neutral salts:

• When a strong acid reacts with a weak base, the base is unable to fully neutralize the acid. Due to this,
an acidic salt is formed.
• When a strong base reacts with a weak acid, the acid is unable to fully neutralize the base. Due to this,
a basic salt is formed.
• When equally strong acid and a base react, they fully neutralize each other. Due to this, a neutral salt is
formed.

pH value of salt:

• Neutral salt: The pH value of a neutral salt is almost equal to 7.

• Acidic salt: The pH value of an acidic salt is less than 7.
• Basic salt: The pH value of a basic salt is more than 7.

Some Important Chemical Compounds

1. Common Salt (Sodium Chloride): Sodium chloride (NaCl) is also known as Common or Table Salt. It is formed after
the reaction between sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. It is a neutral salt. The pH value of sodium chloride is
about 7. Sodium chloride is used to enhance the taste of food. Sodium chloride is used in the manufacturing of many
chemicals.

Important chemical from sodium chloride

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): Sodium hydroxide is a strong base. It is also known as caustic soda. It is obtained by the
electrolytic decomposition of solution of sodium chloride (brine). In the process of electrolytic decomposition of brine
(aqueous solution of sodium chloride), brine decomposes to form sodium hydroxide. In this process, chlorine is
obtained at anode and hydrogen gas is obtained at cathode as by products. This whole process is known as Chlor –
Alkali process.

Use of products after the electrolysis of brine:

• Hydrogen gas is used as fuel, margarine, in making of ammonia for fertilizer, etc.
• Chlorine gas is used in water treatment, manufacturing of PVC, disinfectants, CFC, pesticides. It is also
used in the manufacturing of bleaching powder and hydrochloric acid.
• Sodium hydroxide is used for degreasing of metals, manufacturing of paper, soap, detergents, artificial
fibres, bleach, etc.
2. Bleaching Powder (CaOCl2): Bleaching powder is also known as chloride of lime. It is a solid and yellowish white in
colour. Bleaching powder can be easily identified by the strong smell of chlorine.
When calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) reacts with chlorine, it gives calcium oxychloride (bleaching powder) and water
is formed.

Aqueous solution of bleaching powder is basic in nature. The term bleach means removal of colour. Bleaching powder
is often used as bleaching agent. It works because of oxidation. Chlorine in the bleaching powder is responsible for
bleaching effect.

Use of Bleaching Powder:

• Bleaching powder is used as disinfectant to clean water, moss remover, weed killers, etc.
• Bleaching powder is used for bleaching of cotton in textile industry, bleaching of wood pulp in paper
industry.
• Bleaching powder is used as oxidizing agent in many industries, such as textiles industry, paper
industry, etc.

3. Baking Soda (NaHCO3): Baking soda is another important product which can be obtained using byproducts of chlor
– alkali process. The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO 3) or sodium bicarbonate.
Bread soda, cooking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarb, bicarb of soda or simply bicarb, etc. are some other
names of baking soda.

Preparation Method: Baking soda is obtained by the reaction of brine with carbon dioxide and ammonia. This is known
as Solvay process.

In this process, calcium carbonate is used as the source of CO2 and the resultant calcium oxide is used to recover
ammonia from ammonium chloride.

Properties of Sodium Bicarbonate:

• Sodium bicarbonate is white crystalline solid, but it appears as fine powder.

• Sodium hydrogen carbonate is amphoteric in nature.
• Sodium hydrogen carbonate is sparingly soluble in water.
• Thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda).
• When baking soda is heated, it decomposes into sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water.
2NaHCO3 + heat → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O
• Sodium carbonate formed after thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate decomposes
into sodium oxide and carbon dioxide on further heating.
Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2
This reaction is known as Dehydration reaction.

Use of Baking Soda:

• Baking soda is used in making of baking powder, which is used in cooking as it produces carbon
dioxide which makes the batter soft and spongy.
• Baking soda is used as an antacid.
• Baking soda is used in toothpaste which makes the teeth white and plaque free.
• Baking soda is used in cleansing of ornaments made of silver.
• Since sodium hydrogen carbonate gives carbon dioxide and sodium oxide on strong heating, thus, it, is
used as a fire extinguisher.

Baking Powder: Baking powder produces carbon dioxide on heating, so it is used in cooking to make the batter
spongy. Although, baking soda also produces carbon dioxide on heating, but it is not used in cooking because on
heating, baking soda produces sodium carbonate along with carbon dioxide. The sodium carbonate, thus, produced,
makes the taste bitter.
Baking powder is the mixture of baking soda and a mild edible acid. Generally, tartaric acid is mixed with baking soda
to make baking powder.

When baking powder is heated, sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) decomposes to give CO2 and sodium carbonate
(Na2CO3). CO2 causes bread and cake fluffy. Tartaric acid helps to remove bitter taste due to formation of Na 2CO3.

4. Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate)

Preparation Method: Sodium carbonate is manufactured by the thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen
carbonate obtained by Solvay process.

The sodium carbonate obtained in this process is dry. It is called Soda ash or Anhydrous sodium carbonate. Washing
soda is obtained by rehydration of anhydrous sodium carbonate.

Since there are 10 water molecules in washing soda, hence, it is known as Sodium Bicarbonate Decahydrate.
Sodium carbonate is a crystalline solid and it is soluble in water when most of the carbonates are insoluble in water.

Use of sodium carbonate:

• It is used in the cleaning of cloths, especially in rural areas.

• In the making of detergent cake and powder.
• In removing the permanent hardness of water.
• It is used in glass and paper industries.

The water of Crystallization: Many salts contain water molecule and are known as Hydrated Salts. The water
molecule present in salt is known as Water of crystallization.
Examples:
Copper sulphate pentahydrate (CuSO4.5H2O): Blue colour of copper sulphate is due to presence of 5 molecules of
water. When copper sulphate is heated, it loses water molecules and turns: into grey – white colour, which is known
as anhydrous copper sulphate. After adding water, anhydrous copper sulphate becomes blue again.

Page Number: 22

Question 1
Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels ?
Answer:
Curd and sour substances should not be kept in brass and copper vessels because these and other sour
food-stuffs contain acids which can react with the metal of the vessel to form poisonous metal compounds
which can cause food poisoning and affect our health adversely.

Question 2
Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal ? Illustrate with an example. How will you
test for the presence of this gas ?
Answer:
(i) Hydrogen (H2) gas is liberated when an acid reacts with a metal.
(ii) Illustration : Set up the apparatus as shown in the given figure. Take some zinc granules in the test tube.
Add about 5 mL dilute hydrochloric acid slowly. Soon the reaction between zinc and hydrochloric acid
starts and hydrogen gas is evolved.

(iii) Test for H2 gas :

H2 gas is not soluble in water. When passed through soap solution, it gets trapped into bubbles.
Bring a burning candle near the soap bubble filled with gas. The soap bubble bursts and hydrogen gas
burns with a pop sound.

Question 3
Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The gas evolved
extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction if one of the
compounds formed is calcium chloride.
Answer:
As the end product is calcium chloride and the gas formed is carbon dioxide, the metal compound A must
be calcium carbonate. Therefore, the reaction between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid is

Page Number: 25

Question 1
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:
H+ ions in aqueous solution are responsible for acidic character. HCl, HNO3, etc. give H+ ions in water while
alcohol and glucose do not give H+ ion in water. Therefore, alcohol and glucose do not show acidic
character.

Question 2
Why does an aqueous solution of an acid conduct electricity ?
Answer:
The aqueous solution of an acid conducts electricity due to the presence of charged particles called ions in
it.

Question 3
Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper ?
Answer:
Dry HCl gas does not give H+ ions and therefore does not change the colour of dry litmus paper.

Question 4
While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to the
acid ?
Answer:
While diluting an acid it is recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to the acid
because if water is added to concentrated acid to dilute it, then a large amount of heat is evolved at once.
This heat changes some of the water to steam explosively which can splash the acid on one’s face or
clothes and cause acid burns.

Question 5
How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) affected when a solution of an acid is diluted ?
Answer:
When a given amount of an acid is added to water, there is a fixed number of hydronium ions per volume of
the solution. On dilution, the number of hydronium ions per volume decreases and concentration
decreases.

Question 6
How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH–) affected when excess base is dissolved in a solution of
sodium hydroxide ?
Answer:
The concentration of hydroxide ions will increase when excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium
hydroxide, but it happens to a limited extent only after which the concentration becomes almost constant.

Page Number: 28

Question 1
You have two solutions A and B. The pH of solution A is 6 and pH of solution B is 8. Which solution has
more hydrogen ion concentration? Which of this is acidic and which one is basic ?
Answer:
A pH value of less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, while greater than 7 indicates a basic solution. Since
solution A has more hydrogen ion concentration, solution A is acidic and solution B is basic.

Question 2
What effect does the concentration of H+ (aq) ions have on the nature of the solution ?
Answer:
More the concentration of H+ ions, higher the acidic nature of the solution.

Question 3
Do basic solutions also have H+ (aq) ions ? If yes, then why are these basic ?
Answer:
Basic solutions have H+ (aq) ions. But these are far less in number than OH– ions that is responsible for
their basic nature.

Question 4
Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields with quick lime (calcium
oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate) ?
Answer:
If the soil is too acidic (having low pH) then it is treated with materials like quick lime (calcium oxide) or
slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate).

Page Number: 33

Question 2
Name the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder.
Answer:
Slaked lime Ca (OH)2.
Question 3
Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water.
Answer:
Sodium carbonate.

Question 4
What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated. Give the equation of the reaction
involved ?
Answer:
Solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate on heating gives sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide gas is
evolved.

Question 5
Write an equation to show the reaction between plaster of Paris and water.
Answer:

Question 5
Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when
(a) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc granules
(b) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium ribbon
(c) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder
(d) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with iron filing
Answer:
(a) Zinc + dilute sulphuric acid → Zinc sulphate + Hydrogen
Zn (s) + H2SO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + H2 (g)

(b) Magnesium ribbon + dil. Hydrochloric acid → Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen

Mg (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

(c) Aluminium powder + dil. Sulphuric acid > Aluminium sulphate + Hydrogen
2Al (s) + 3H2SO4 (aq) → Al2 (SO4)3 (aq) + 3H2 (g)

(d) Iron filings + Dilute hydrochloric acid > Ferric chloride + Hydrogen
2Fe (s) + 6HCl (aq) → 2FeCl3 (aq) + 3H2 (g)

Question 6
Compounds such as alcohol and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorised as acids. Describe
an activity to prove it.
Answer:
Though compounds like alcohol and glucose contain hydrogen but they do not ionise in the solution to
produce H+ ions on passing current through them.
(i) Take solutions of alcohols and glucose.
(ii) Fix two nails on a cork, and place the cork in 100 mL beaker.
(iii) Connect the nails to the two terminals of a 6 volt battery through a bulb and a switch, as shown in the
given Figure.
(iv) Now pour alcohol in the beaker and switch on the current.
(v) The bulb does not glow.
(vi) Repeat the experiment with glucose. The bulb does not glow in this case also.
(vii) This means no ions or H+ ions are present in the solution.
This shows that alcohols and glucose are not acids.

Question 7
Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rainwater does ?
Answer:
Distilled water does not conduct electricity because it does not contain any ionic compound (like acids,
bases or salts) dissolved in it.
Rainwater, while falling to the earth through the atmosphere, dissolves an acidic gas carbon dioxide from
the air and forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid provides hydrogen ions, H+ (aq) and carbonate ions,
CO(aq)32to rainwater. Hence, due to the presence of carbonic acid which provides ions to rainwater, the
rainwater conducts electricity.

Question 8
Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water ?
Answer:
The acidic behaviour of acids is due to the presence of hydrogen ions, [H+ (aq) ions], in them. The acid
produces hydrogen ions only in the presence of water. So in the absence of water, an acid will not form
hydrogen ions and hence will not show its acidic behaviour.

Question 10
Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added to
test tube A, while acetic acid (CH3COOH) is added to test tube B. In which test tube will the fizzing occur
more vigorously and why ?
Answer:
Fizzing will occur more vigorously in test tube A. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid whereas acetic
acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid. Being strong acid, the hydrochloric acid solution contains a much greater
amount of hydrogen ions in it due to which the fizzing will occur more vigorously in test tube A (containing
hydrochloric acid). The fizzing is due to the evolution of hydrogen gas which is formed by the action of acid
on the magnesium metal of magnesium ribbon.

Question 11
fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd ? Explain your answer.
Answer:
pH of milk falls below 6 as it turns into curd due to the formation of lactic acid during this process. Lactic
acid present in it reduces its pH value.

Question 12
A milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk.
(a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline ?
(b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd ?
Answer:
(a) Milk is made slightly alkaline so that it may not get sour easily due to the formation of lactic acid in it.
(b) The alkaline milk takes a longer time to set into curd because the lactic acid being formed has to first
neutralise the alkali present in it.

Question 13
Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture proof container. Explain why?
Answer:
Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture proof container because the presence of moisture can
cause slow setting of plaster of Paris by bringing about its hydration. This will make the plaster of Paris
useless after sometime.

Question 14
What is a neutralisation reaction ? Give two examples.
Answer:
The reaction between an acid and a base to form salt and water is called a neutralisation reaction.
Examples: