CHAPTER 11

Acids and Bases

© 2013 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Private Limited

Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

11.1 Acids

11.2 Bases and Alkalis

11.3 Strength and Concentration

11.4 The pH Scale

11.5 Types of Oxides

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11.1 Acids

Organic acids Mineral acids

(weak acids) (strong acids)

Tartaric acid Hydrochloric

acid
(HCl)

Citric acid Nitric acid

Sulfuric acid (HNO3)
(H2SO4)

Lactic acid

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11.1 Acids

What is an Acid?
An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions, H+
in aqueous solution.

• Note that not all substances that contain hydrogen

are acids.

CH4 NH3 NaOH H2O

These are NOT acids.

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11.1 Acids

Is HCl Gas an Acid?

• HCl gas exists as covalent molecules.

• It is not dissolved in water so it cannot produce
H+ ions.
• Therefore, it is not an acid.
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 11.1 Acids

What is an Acid?

A substance has acidic properties only when

• it is dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution.
• it ionises to produce H+ ions.

• Hydrogen • Hydrogen
chloride in chloride in
an organic water
solvent does ionises to
not ionise. give H+ ions.
• This is not • Hydrochloric
an acid! acid is
produced. 6
11.1 Acids

What is an Acid?

• The hydrogen ions are responsible for the properties of

an acid.
• Examples of acids:

HNO3(aq) → H+(aq) + NO3–(aq)

Nitric acid
H2SO4(aq) → 2H+(aq) + SO42–(aq)
Sulfuric acid
CH3COOH(aq) → H+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)
Ethanoic acid (weak acid)
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11.1 Acids

Physical Properties of Acids

1. Acids have a sour taste.

2. Acids turn blue litmus paper red.

3. Acids dissolve in water to form solutions which

can conduct electricity.

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11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

1. Acids react with reactive metals to form a salt and
hydrogen gas.
Test for H2:
Use a lighted wooden splint.
Flame extinguishes with a ‘pop’ sound.

metal + acid → salt + hydrogen

E.g. Ca, Mg, Produced when H+ in the acid is

Zn, Fe replaced by a metallic ion (Na+, K+, Zn2+)
or ammonium (NH4+)
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11.1 Acids

Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metals:

Example 1

magnesium + sulfuric acid → magnesium sulfate + hydrogen

Mg(s) + H2SO4(aq) → MgSO4(aq) + H2(g)

metal acid salt hydrogen gas

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 11.1 Acids

Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metals:

Example 2

zinc + hydrochloric acid → zinc chloride + hydrogen

Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)

metal acid salt hydrogen gas

URL 11
 11.1 Acids

Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metals:

Example 3

calcium + nitric acid → ? + hydrogen

Ca(s) + 2HNO3(aq) → Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2(g)

metal acid salt hydrogen gas

URL 12
11.1 Acids

Reaction of Acids with Lead (Pb)

• Not all metals react with acids to give a salt and

hydrogen gas.

• Lead appears to be unreactive to hydrochloric acid

and sulfuric acid. Why? Insoluble layer of
PbCl2 or PbSO4
prevents further
acid reaction.

lead lead

lead + hydrochloric acid → lead chloride (s) + hydrogen

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TB page 189
Q1

Suggest why barium reacts with dilute

hydrochloric acid but appears not to react with
dilute sulfuric acid.
Ba (s) + HCl (aq) BaCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

Ba (s) + H2SO4 (aq) BaSO4 (s) + H2 (g)

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11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

2. Acids react with carbonates and hydrogen
carbonates to form a salt, water and carbon
dioxide.

carbonate + acid → salt + water + carbon dioxide

E.g. Na2CO3, CaCO3, Test for CO2:

ZnCO3, MgCO3 Bubbling CO2 gas through
calcium hydroxide (limewater) will
produce a white precipitate,
calcium carbonate.
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 11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

2. Reaction of acids with carbonates:

Example 1
sodium carbonate + hydrochloric acid
→ sodium chloride + water + carbon dioxide

Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

carbonate acid salt water carbon
dioxide

URL 16
11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

2. Reaction of acids with carbonates:

Example 2
zinc carbonate + sulfuric acid → zinc sulfate + water + carbon

dioxide
ZnCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
carbonate acid salt water carbon
dioxide

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TB page 189
Q2

When solid X was added to solution Y, copper (II) chloride, water

and carbon dioxide gas were formed. However, when solid Z was
added to solution Y, zinc chloride and hydrogen were produced.
Deduce the identities of X, Y and Z.

X+Y CuCl2 (aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)

Acid + Carbonate Salt + water + carbon dioxide

Y+Z ZnCl2 (aq) + H2(g)

Acid + Metal Salt + hydrogen

Y is hydrochloric acid, X is copper carbonate, Z is Zn.

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 11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

3. Acids react with metal oxides and hydroxides to

form a salt and water only.

metal oxide + acid → salt + water

metal hydroxide + acid → salt + water

also known as bases

base + acid → salt + water

What is the name given to this reaction? Neutralisation

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11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metal oxides:

Example 1
zinc oxide + sulfuric acid → zinc sulfate + water

ZnO(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2O(l)

metal acid salt water
oxide

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11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

Complete the equation:

copper(II) oxide + nitric acid → copper(II) nitrate + water

CuO(s) + 2 HNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l)

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11.1 Acids

Chemical Properties of Acids

Reaction of acids with metal hydroxides:

Example
sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid
→ sodium chloride + water

NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

metal acid salt water
hydroxide

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11.1 Acids

Properties of Acids

Complete the equation:

calcium hydroxide + nitric acid → calcium nitrate + water

Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2HNO3(aq) → Ca(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

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 11.1 Acids

Role of Water in Acidity

HCl(g) dissolved
in an organic HCl(g) dissolved in
solvent eg. water to produce H+
methylated spirit ions.
No H+ ions
• HCl(aq) which is
an acid reacts
with magnesium
Magnesium ribbon
ribbon.
does not react with magnesium • Hydrogen gas is
HCl. ribbon produced.
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The basicity of an acid is the number of replaceable
hydrogen atoms present in a molecule of the acid

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11.1 Acids

Uses of Sulfuric Acid

1. Manufacture of fertilisers
• Important starting material for the production of
ammonium sulfate and superphosphate, which
are active ingredients in fertilisers.

2. Manufacture of detergents
• Concentrated sulfuric acid used to convert
hydrocarbons into organic acids.
• Organic acids react with sodium hydroxide to
produce detergents.
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11.1 Acids

Uses of Sulfuric Acid

3. As battery acid in cars

• Reacts with lead plates and lead(IV) oxide
plates in the battery to generate electrical
energy.

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11.1 Acids

Uses of Other Acids

Hydrochloric acid
•Remove impurities such as rust or scale from
metals and aluminium alloys.

Phosphoric acid
•Added to food and beverages to give them a
sour taste.

Ethanoic acid (vinegar)

•Acts as food preservatives and flavour enhancer.

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Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

11.1 Acids

11.2 Bases and Alkalis

11.3 Strength and Concentration

11.4 The pH Scale

11.5 Types of Oxides

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

What is a Base?

A base is any metal oxide or hydroxide that reacts

with an acid to produce a salt and water only.

base + acid → salt + water

• This reaction is called neutralisation.

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

What is a Base?

Examples
Metal oxides Metal hydroxides
sodium oxide, Na2O sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
zinc oxide , ZnO zinc hydroxide, Zn(OH)2
calcium oxide, CaO calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2
iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3 iron(III) hydroxide, Fe(OH)3
copper(II) oxide, CuO copper(II) hydroxide, Cu(OH)2

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Acid-Base Reactions

base + acid → salt + water

Example 1
sulfuric acid + copper(II) oxide → copper(II) sulfate + water

H2SO4(aq) + CuO(s) → CuSO4(aq) + H2O(l)

Example 2
hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → sodium chloride + water

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

What is an Alkali?

An alkali is a soluble base which dissolves in water to

produce OH– ions.

Bases
Alkalis
CaO MgO
Na2O
FeO NaOH
KOH
Cu(OH)2 Ca(OH)2
NH 3(aq) Fe(OH)3
ZnO

Relationship between bases and alkalis 35

11.2 Bases and Alkalis

What is an Alkali?

Examples of alkalis:

sodium hydroxide → sodium ion + hydroxide ion

NaOH(aq) → Na+(aq) + OH–(aq)

calcium hydroxide → calcium ion + hydroxide ion

Ca(OH)2(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + 2OH–(aq)

ammonia gas + water → ammonium ion + hydroxide ion

NH3(g) + H2O(l) → NH4+(aq) + OH–(aq)
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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

1. Alkalis feel soapy and have a bitter taste.

2. Alkalis turn red litmus paper blue.

3. Alkalis react with acids to form a salt and water only.

This is a neutralisation reaction.

alkali + acid → salt + water

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

Reaction of acids with alkalis (neutralisation):

Complete these word equations and construct their
chemical equations:

sodium hydroxide + nitric acid → sodium nitrate + water

NaOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) → NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l)

potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → potassium sulfate + water

2KOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

Reaction of acids with alkalis (neutralisation):

The ionic equation for the neutralisation reaction

between and acid and an alkali is:

H+(aq) + OH–(aq) → H2O(l)

hydrogen ions hydroxide ions water, a

from acid from alkali neutral liquid

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Which of these are neutralisation reactions?

1. CuO(s) + HCl(aq) → CuCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

2. ZnCO3(s) + H2SO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

3. KOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) → KNO3(aq) + H2O(l)

4. MnO2(s) + HCl(aq) → MnCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + Cl2(g)

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

4. Alkalis warmed with ammonium salts produce

ammonia gas.
Test for NH3:
Moist red litmus paper turns
blue in presence of ammonia.

alkali + ammonium salt → salt + water + ammonia

Contains the NH4+ ion.

E.g. NH4Cl, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

Reaction of alkalis with ammonium salts:

Example 1
sodium hydroxide + ammonium chloride →
sodium chloride + water + ammonia
NaOH(aq) + NH4Cl(s) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l) + NH3(g)

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 11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

Reaction of alkalis with ammonium salts:

Example 2

potassium hydroxide + ammonium sulfate →

potassium sulfate + water + ammonia

2KOH(aq) + (NH4)2SO4(s) →
K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 2NH3(g)

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URL
 11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

5. Alkalis react with a solution of one metal salt to give

another metal salt and metal hydroxide.

alkali + salt → metal hydroxide + salt

(containing metal A) (of metal B) (of metal B) (of metal A)

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 11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Properties of Alkalis

Example

Sodium hydroxide + iron(II) sulfate →

sodium sulfate + iron(II) hydroxide

NaOH(aq) + FeSO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + Fe(OH)2(s)

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TB Page 194
Q1

Name 2 bases that react with dilute sulfuric acid to give

zinc sulfate.

Acid + Base Salt + Water

Ans: Zinc oxide, Zinc hydroxide

46
11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Uses of Bases and Alkalis

Magnesium oxide (MgO)

•relieving gastric pain and for making refractory bricks

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH)

•used in the preparation of soap.

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11.2 Bases and Alkalis

Uses of Bases and Alkalis

Calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2

– reduce acidity in soil.

Ammonia solution, NH3 (aq)

– used in making fertilisers.

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Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

11.1 Acids

11.2 Bases and Alkalis

11.3 Strength and Concentration

11.4 The pH Scale

11.5 Types of Oxides

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11.3 Strength and Concentration

Strong and Weak Acids

A strong acid is an acid that is completely ionised in

aqueous solution.
• Example: HCl
HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

A weak acid is an acid that is only partially ionised in

an aqueous solution.
• Example: CH3COOH
CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)
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11.3 Strength and Concentration

Strong and Weak Acids

HCl is a strong acid that CH3COOH is a weak acid

completely ionises in that partially ionises in
aqueous solution. aqueous solution.
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Discuss MCQ booklet
Q15

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11.3 Strength and Concentration

Strong and Weak Acids

Do not confuse strength of an acid with the
concentration of an acid!!!

• ‘Strong’ and ‘weak’ refer to the extent of ionisation of

an acid.

• ‘Concentrated’ and ‘dilute’ tell us how much of an acid

is dissolved in the solution.

The strength of an acid is not affected by its

concentration.
57
11.3 Strength and Concentration

Strong and Weak Acids

A strong acid will be fully ionised

regardless of its concentration.

HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

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Discuss MCQ booklet

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Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

11.1 Acids

11.2 Bases and Alkalis

11.3 Strength and Concentration

11.4 The pH Scale

11.5 Types of Oxides

60
 11.4 The pH Scale

The pH Scale
• Is a set of numbers from 0 to 14
• It indicates if a solution is acidic, neutral or alkaline.

increasing H+ = OH– Increasing

H+ ions, ions, neutral OH– ions,
more acidic more alkaline
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 11.4 The pH Scale

The pH Scale
• The pH of a solution is related to the concentration
of H+ or OH– present in a solution.

Acids Alkalis
Higher H+ concentration, Higher OH– concentration,
lower OH– concentration lower H+ concentration
lower pH value higher pH value 62
11.4 The pH Scale

The pH Scale
The pH of some common acids and bases:

H2SO4 (aq) H2O(l) NaOH(aq)

HCl (aq) NH3(aq)
HNO3(aq)
CH3COOH(aq)
63
Discuss MCQ booklet

NH3 (pH 10), NaOH (pH 13)

both neutral

both pH 1

Ans: C 64
 11.4 The pH Scale

pH of Some Common Substances

gastric
juices vinegar
canned pure
dilute lemon rain aqueous
fizzy water
HCl juice toothpastes NaOH
drinks water blood
detergents

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

more less less more

acidic acidic alkaline alkaline

NEUTRAL

High H+ Low H+ Low OH– High OH–

concentration concentration concentration concentration
65
 11.4 The pH Scale

How Do We Measure the pH of a Given Solution?

• Chemical compound called an indicator

• pH sensor attached to a data logger

• pH meter

66
11.4 The pH Scale

Indicators
• Indicators are substances which show different
colours in acidic and alkaline solutions.
• Colour change of some common indicators:

Colour of indicator in
Indicator
Strong acidic Strong alkaline
solution solution
Litmus red blue
Methyl Orange red yellow
Screened Methyl Orange violet green
Phenolphthalein colourless pink
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 11.4 The pH Scale

Universal Indicator
1. Add a few drops of Universal indicator to the
solution to be tested.

2. Compare the colour of the solution with the pH scale.

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URL
11.4 The pH Scale

Measuring pH
pH meter
• measures pH electrically;
• more accurate and reliable;
• consists of a pH probe connected to a data
logger.
How do we use a pH probe connected
to a data logger?
•Dip pH probe into solution to be
measured.
•pH of solution will be displayed
digitally.
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11.4 The pH Scale

pH of Soil
It is important to control the pH of soil because it will
affect the growth and development of plants.

Potatoes grow well at Cabbages grow well at

pH 5.5–6.5 pH 7.5–8.5

Most plants grow best in neutral or slightly acidic soils. 70

11.4 The pH Scale

Controlling pH of
Soil
pH of soil may become unsuitable for plant growth due to:
• too much fertilisers added to the soil;
• environmental pollution such as acid rain.

To treat acidity in soil, add:

• calcium oxide (quicklime);
• calcium hydroxide (slaked lime).

This process is also known as ‘liming’. These bases

neutralise the acid in the soil. What products are formed?
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Discuss Theory Worksheet 11.5, Q8

72
 monobasic acid
HCl H+ + Cl-

Indicator changes color at the pH range of

3-12

CH3COOH CH3COO- + H+

Indicator changes color at pH range of

8-11 73
 dibasic acid

pH range 3-11

tribasic acid

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75
Titration 1

Titration 2

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Titration 1 Titration 3

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79
Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

11.1 Acids

11.2 Bases and Alkalis

11.3 Strength and Concentration

11.4 The pH Scale

11.5 Types of Oxides

80
 11.5 Types of Oxides

Oxides
compounds of oxygen

Metallic oxides Non-metallic oxides

• ionic compound • covalent compound
• metal ion and oxide ion • non-metal and oxygen

Basic oxides Acidic oxides

Amphoteric oxides Neutral oxides

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11.5 Types of Oxides

Acidic
Oxides
• Non-metallic oxides
• Often gases at room temperature
• Most dissolve in water to form acid
• React with alkalis to form a salt and water only

Acidic
Dissolves in water to form Name of acid
oxide

SO2 SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq) Sulfurous acid

SO3 SO3(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq) Sulfuric acid

CO2 CO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2CO3(aq) Carbonic acid

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11.5 Types of Oxides

Reaction of Acidic Oxides with Alkali

Example 1

sulfur dioxide + sodium hydroxide

→ sodium sulfite + water

SO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SO3(aq) + H2O(l)

1. SO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq)

2. H2SO3 (aq) + NaOH (aq) Na2SO3 (aq) + H2O

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11.5 Types of Oxides

Reaction of Acidic Oxides with Alkalis

Example 2
carbon dioxide + sodium hydroxide
→ sodium carbonate + water

CO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)

(Dissolves to form carbonic acid)

Is silicon(IV) oxide, SiO2 an acidic oxide?

Yes. It reacts with NaOH to form a salt and water only.

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11.5 Types of Oxides

Basic Oxides
• Metallic oxides
• Solids at room temperature
• React with acids to form a salt and water only
• Can be soluble or insoluble in water

Dissolves in water to form Known as bases

alkalis. E.g. MgO, CuO, ZnO, Al2O3
E.g. Na2O, K2O
Na2O + H2O → NaOH
K2O + H2O → KOH
85
 11.5 Types of Oxides

Reaction of Basic Oxides with Acids

Example 1
calcium oxide + nitric acid → calcium nitrate + water

CaO(s) + 2HNO3(aq) → Ca(NO3)2(aq) + H2O(l)

insoluble base acid salt water

Example 2
sodium oxide + hydrochloric acid
→ sodium chloride + water

Na2O(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

soluble base acid salt water
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11.5 Types of Oxides

Amphoteric
Oxides
• React with acids to form a salt and water,
behaving like a base

• React with alkalis to form a salt and water,

behaving like an acid

Amphoteric oxides exhibit both acidic and basic

properties.

• E.g. ZnO, Al2O3, PbO,

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11.5 Types of Oxides

Salts Produced by Other Amphoteric Oxides

with Alkalis
Examples:

Amphoteric oxide Salt produced in NaOH

Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) Sodium aluminate (NaAlO3)

Sodium plumbate
Lead(II) oxide (PbO)
(Na2PbO2)

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11.5 Types of Oxides

Reaction of Zinc oxide with Acid/Alkali

zinc oxide + hydrochloric acid → zinc chloride + water

ZnO(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2O(l)
What property does ZnO show here?

zinc oxide + sodium hydroxide

→ sodium zincate + water
ZnO(s) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2ZnO2(aq) +H2O(l)
What property does ZnO show here?
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TB page 202 Q1
Which of the elements below form oxides that may
dissolve in water to give solutions with pH values of less
than 7?

carbon, copper, hydrogen, magnesium, sulfur

Ans: carbon, sulfur (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide are

acidic oxides)
TB page 202 Q2

Using the observations below, classify the oxides A, B and C

as either amphoteric, basic or acidic.
Suggest possible identities for A, B and C.

A: A white solid, insoluble in water, forms a colourless

solution with both HCl (aq) and NaOH (aq)
B: A white solid, soluble in water, forms a solution which
turns blue litmus paper red.
C: W white solid, dissolves sparingly in water to form a
white suspension. The solution turns red litmus paper
blue.

Ans: A is amphoteric B is acidic C is basic

 Discuss MCQ booklet
Question 14

MO(s) is displaying amphoteric property

This rxn does not take place due to absence
of OH- ions.
Alkali + Ammonium salt Salt + water + Ammonia gas

Ans: C 92
11.5 Types of Oxides

Neutral
Oxides
• Insoluble in water

• Show neither acidic nor basic properties

• E.g. H2O (water/hydrogen monoxide) Note that they

NO (nitric oxide/nitrogen monoxide) are also
CO (carbon monoxide) monoxides.

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 TB page 205

pH 7.8
pH 7.5

pH 7

pH 5.8

Lime is added to neutralize the acid in the soil.

Ans: B 94
TB page 205

Fact: An alkali (soluble base) reacts with ammonium salts to

give ammonia gas, salt and water.

Ans: D
NaOH (aq) + HNO3 NaNO3 + H2O
KIV

d(i) pH 14: OH- in very high concentration compared to H+

d(ii) pH 7: equal concentrations of H+ and OH-

d(iii) pH 1: H+ in very high concentration compared to OH-

Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

Concept Map

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Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

Concept Map

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Chapter 11 Acids and Bases
Concept Map

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