Acids, Bases, and Salts Flashcards
What are acids?
Substances that form hydrogen (H+) ions when dissolved in water
What are bases?
Any substance that can neutralise an acid
Either soluble or insoluble
Soluble bases release hydroxide (OH-) ions in liquids - these are called alkalis
Insoluble bases are metal oxides and metal carbonates
What happens when an acid and alkali react?
Hydrogen ions react with hydroxide ions to form the neutral solution: water
H+ + OH- = H2O
What does the strength of an acid depend on?
How much it ionises in water (how many acid molecules break up to form H+ ions)
What do weak acids do?
Do not fully ionise in water and so reactions with weak acids are much slower and less exothermic
Most acids are weak
E.g.
Ethanoic acid
What do strong acids do?
Fully ionise in water so reactions are faster and more exothermic Strong acids include: Hydrochloric acid Sulphuric acid Nitric acid
What are examples of strong bases?
Aqueous sodium hydroxide + Potassium hydroxide
What is an example of a weak base and why is it weak?
Ammonia - Only a few NH3 molecules react with water molecules to form ions
What is the difference between strength and concentration of an acid?
Strength = How much of the acid ionises in water Concentration = How many moles of H+ ions are in a unit volume
What are examples of indicators and how can we tell whether something is an acid or alkali by using them?
Litmus paper:
Red in acid
Blue in alkali
Methyl orange:
Red in acid
Yellow in alkali
What does a reaction between an acid and a metal produce?
Salt + Hydrogen
What does a reaction between an acid and a base produce?
Salt + Water
What does a reaction between an acid and a metal carbonate produce?
Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
Same as bases but with added carbon dioxide, because a carbonate is also a base and so neutralises an acid
What are examples of bases that neutralise acids?
Oxides and hydroxides of metals e.g. Sodium hydroxide Potassium hydroxide Copper (II) oxide
What names do different acids give salts?
Sulfuric acid - Sulfate
Hydrochloric acid - Chloride
Nitric acid - Nitrate