4.1 : Acids, Bases and Neutralisation

Question 1

How do you know something is an acid?

Answer 1

All acids contain hydrogen in their formula.

When dissolved in water, an acid released hydrogen ions as protons, H+, into the solution.

Question 2

What is the difference between strong and weak acids ?

Answer 2

Strong acid : releases all its hydrogen atoms into solution as H+ ions and completely dissociates in aqueous solution.

Weak acid : only releases a small proportion of its available hydrogen atoms into solution as H+ ions. It partially dissociates in aqueous solution.

Question 3

What is the difference between a base and an alkali?

Answer 3

A bae neutralises am acid to form a salt.

An alkali is a base that dissolves in water releasing hydroxide ions (OH-) into the solution.

Question 4

What happens in neutralisation ?

Answer 4

H+ ions react with a base to form a salt and neutral water.

The H+ ions from the acid are replaced by metal or ammonium ions from the base.

Question 5

What happens when you neutralise an acid with a metal oxide or metal hydroxide? What happens when you neutralise it with an alkali?

Answer 5

It’s forms a salt and water only.

Question 6

What happens when you neutralise an acid with a carbonate ?

Answer 6

It produces a salt, water and carbon dioxide.