Topic 3 - Chemical Changes Flashcards
Explain what acids and alkalis are sources of
acids in solution are sources of hydrogen ions and alkalis in solution are sources of hydroxide ions
What is the effect of acids and alkalis on indicators, including litmus, methyl orange and phenolphthalein
LITMUS: acid - red, alkali - blue
PHENOLPHTHALEIN: acid - colourless, alkali - pink
METHYL ORANGE: acid - red, alkali - yellow
Explain the effect of a higher concentration of hydrogen ions
the higher the concentration of hydrogen ions in an acidic solution, the lower the pH; and the higher the concentration of hydroxide ions in an alkaline solution, the higher the pH
Explain the difference between concentrated and dilute and how to change between them
For a given volume:
- a concentrated solution has a greater amount of dissolved solute particles than a dilute solution
You can change a concentrated solution into a dilute solution by adding more water to it. You can change a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution by:
- dissolving more solute in it
- evaporating some of the water
Explain the effect of concentration of hydrogen ions on the pH
as hydrogen ion concentration in a solution increases by a factor of 10, the pH of the solution decreases by 1
Explain the method of how to investigate the change in pH when calcium hydroxide, a base, is added to a fixed volume of dilute hydrochloric acid
Add some dilute hydrochloric acid to the beaker. Measure and record the pH of the contents of the beaker. Add a small mass of calcium hydroxide powder, stir, and then measure and record the pH again. Repeat until the pH no longer changes
Explain precautions needed to be taken when investigating the change in pH when calcium hydroxide, a base, is added to a fixed volume of dilute hydrochloric acid
- calcium oxide is corrosive but calcium hydroxide is an irritant , so calcium hydroxide is safer to use
- you should choose appropriate apparatus for practical work. If using a measuring cylinder
Explain the terms weak and strong acids
Hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid are strong acids because they fully dissociate into ions in their solution. All their molecules release H+ (aq) ions
Ethanol acid is a weak acid because it partially dissociates into ions in solution. Only a few molecules release H+ (aq) ions
Explain what a base is
A base is any substance that reacts with an acid to form a salt and water only.
Bases are metal oxides and metal hydroxides. In general:
Base + acid —> salt + water
Describe an alkali in its base form
An alkali is a SOLUBLE base
Describe the chemical test for:
- hydrogen
- carbon dioxide (limewater)
HYDROGEN - a lighted splint ignites hydrogen with a ‘pop’. Gas is collected in upturn tube
CARBON DIOXIDE - carbon dioxide turns limewater milky or cloudy white
Explain the general reactions of aqueous solutions of acids with metals
Reactive metals react with acids to produce a salt and hydrogen ONLY. In general:
Metal + acid —> salt + hydrogen
Explain the general reactions of aqueous solutions of acids with metal carbonates
Metal carbonates react with acids to produce a salt, water and carbon dioxide. In general:
Metal carbonate + acid —> salt + water + carbon dioxide
Describe a neutralisation reaction
Neutralisation is the reaction between an acid and a base. In an acid-alkali neutralisation, hydrogen ions from the acid react with hydroxide ions from the alkali to form water
Explain how are soluble salts are prepared from an acid and a soluble reactant using titration
- Use an acid-base titration to find the exact volume of the soluble base that reacts with the acid
- Mix the acid and soluble base in the correct proportions, producing a solution of the salt and water
- Warm the salt solution to evaporate the water - this will leave crystals of the salt behind