CHAPTER 7 ACIDS AND BASES

ACIDS AND BASES

Learning Outcomes
You should be able to:
State the meaning of acid, base and alkali
State uses of acids, bases and alkalis in daily life
Explain the role of water of water in the formation of hydrogen ions to show the properties of
acids
Explain the role of water in the formation of hydroxide ions to show the properties of alkalis
Describe chemical properties of acids and alkalis

Activity 1 Meaning of acid ,base and alkali

Fill in the blanks with the correct words:
1

An acid is a chemical substance which ionises in. to produce .ions.

The hydrogen ion combines with a water molecule, H2O to form a .. ion,

H3O+.
Acid can be classified as a (s).acid or a (w).acid based on its

3
4

basicity.
Basicity is the number of ionisable (h). atoms per molecule of an acid.
Monoprotic acid : One acid molecule (i)to (o)..hydrogen ion

Diprotic acid : One acid molecules (i)to (t)..hydrogen ion

A base is a substance that reacts with an acid to form a (s)... and (w).

only. Bases include metal hydroxides and metal oxides.

Give the names of acids, their formulae and its basicity:

Name of acid
(i) Hydrochloric acid
(ii)
(iii)
(iv) Ethanoic acid

Formula of acid
H2SO4
HNO3

Complete the ionization of acids below :

a)

HCl (aq)

b)

(aq)

c)

H2SO4 (aq)

d)

CH3COOH (aq)

. . ..(aq)

Cl-

H+ (aq)

NO3 - (aq)

..

.
.

(aq)

CH3COO- (aq)

Basicity

Activity 2 :
Fill in the blanks with correct words:
1

A base is a substance that reacts with an acid to form (s) ......................and

(w) ............................ only.

Examples of bases are metal oxides and metal hydroxides that contain oxides ion , O2- and
hydroxide ion, OH- such as Copper(II) oxide and Magnesium hydroxide

An alkali is a water-soluble base which ionises in water to produce............,OH- .

Some examples of bases which dissolves in water are sodium oxide, ammonia and

potassium hydroxide
Complete the table below
Name of alkali
(i) Sodium hydroxide
(ii)
(iii) Ammonia aqueous
4

KOH

Complete the ionization of following alkalis :

NaOH (aq)
(aq)
4

Formula of alkali

.(aq)
H2O (l)

OH-

NH4+ (aq)

(aq)

. (aq)

Uses of acids, bases and alkalis

(a) To use as . reagent
Example: sodium hydroxide solution, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid
(b) To .....................................................................................................
Example: Ethanoic acid (vinegar), benzoic acid
(c)To make various ..
Example: Magnesium oxide antacid medicine, Ascorbic acid vitamin C
(d)To produce ., detergent and
Example: sodium hydroxide

to make soap and detergent

Magnesium hydroxide added to tooth-paste

(e)To manufacture dyes,. and drugs
Example: methylamine
(f)Used in rocket fuel
Example:
(Refer to page 118 - F4 Chemistry textbook)

Activity 3: Role of water and its properties of acids and alkalis

Fill in the blanks with correct words.
1

An acid only shows its .. properties when dissolve in .

2
3

In the presence of water, the acid ionises to form ..ions .

Without water, an acid still exists asand there are no ................ ions present.

Glacial Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH is an example of acidic substance.

Complete the following table to show the role of water in acidic properties.
Condition of ethanoic acid
Effect on the blue litmus
Inference
paper
Glacial ethanoic acid,
Does not show acidic
properties
Ethanoic acid in water
Ethanoic acid in dry propanone
( organic solvent )

5
6

An alkali only shows its .. properties when dissolve in ..

In the presence of water, the base dissociates to produce ... ions that

are responsible for the properties

Ammonia,NH3 is an example of alkali.
Complete the table below to show the role of water in alkaline properties.
Condition of ammonia
Effect on the red litmus paper
Inference
Dry
Aqueous (dissolved in
water)
Dissolved in propanone,
(organic solvent)

Show alkaline
properties

Activity 4 : Chemical properties of acids

Acids are (s).. in taste. Acids solution have pH value less than 7. Acids change the colour
of indicators as shown in the table
Indicator
Blue litmus paper
Universal indicator
Phenolphthalene
Methyl orange

Colour of indicator in acid solution

Orange and red
Colourless
Red

2 Acids react with bases to form salts and water only. Bases are metal oxides or metal hydroxide.

Write the chemical equation for the reaction between sulphuric acid and copper(II) oxide.
...
3 Acids react with reactive metals to produce salts and hydrogen gas.

Write the chemical equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and zinc .
...
4 Acids react with metal carbonates to produce salts, water and carbon dioxide gas.

Write the chemical equation for the reaction between nitric acid and calcium carbonate.
...

Activity 5 : Chemical properties of alkalis

1 Alkalis are (b). in taste and feel (s) Alkalis solution have Ph value
more than 7. Alkali change the colour of indicators as shown in the table
Indicator
Red litmus paper
Universal indicator
Phenolphthalene
Methyl orange
2

Colour of indicator in acid solution

Blue and purple
yellow

Alkalis react with acids to form salts and water only

Write the chemical equation for the reaction between sodium hydroxide and benzoic acid.
2

...
When a mixture of an alkali and an ammonium salt is heated, ammonia gas is liberated.

Write the chemical equation for the reaction between sodium hydroxide and ammonium
chloride .
3

...
Alkalis react with most metal ion solutions ( cations ) to produce the insoluble metal
hydroxides or precipitate - (precipitation reaction)

Write the chemical equation for the reaction between sodium hydroxide and iron(II) sulphate.
...
B: The strength of acids and alkalis
Learning Outcomes:
You should be able to:
State the use of a pH scale
Relate pH value with acidic or alkaline properties of a substance
Relate concentration of hydrogen ions with pH value
Relate concentration of hydroxide ions with pH value
Relate strong or weak acid with degree of dissociation
Conceptualise qualitatively strong and weak acids
Conceptualise qualitatively strong and weak alkalis

Activity 7: The pH scale

Fill in the blanks with correct words
1
2

The pH scale ( 0 to 14 ) , is used to indicate the degree of (a) or (a).

of a solution.
pH value less than 7 , indicates ansolution
pH value equal to 7 , indicates asolution
pH value more than 7 , indicates ansolution
Acids

3
0

Neutra
l
7

Alkalis
8

10

11

12

13

14

Acidity ......................................(increase or decrease )

Alkalinity.........................(increase or decrease )

Activity 8 : Strong and weak acid

1. Complete the flowchart below to understand the concept of strong acid and weak acid
2. Strong acid is an acid that ionizes (c).. in water to produce (h)
.. concentration of (h).. ion

3. Weak acid is an acid that ionizes (p) in water to produce (l)

concentration of (h). ion

Strong acid

Weak acid
Degree of dissociation

Ionization in water

Concentration of ions

pH value

Examples
Activity 9: Strong and weak alkali
1. Complete the flowchart below to understand the concept of strong alkali and weak alkali.
2. Strong alkali is an alkali that ionizes (c) in water to produce (h)
concentration of (h) . ion
3. Weak alkali is an alkali that ionizes (c) in water to produce (l)
concentration of (h) . ion
4.

Strong alkali

Weak alkali
Degree of dissociation

Ionization in water

Concentration of ions

pH value

Examples

C:

CONCENTRATIONS OF ACIDS AND ALKALIS

Learning Outcomes
You should be able to:
State the meaning of concentration
State the meaning of molarity
State the relationship between the number of moles with molarity and volume of a solution
Describe the methods for preparing standard solutions
Describe the preparation of a solution with a specified concentration using dilution method
Relate pH values with the molarity of acids and alkalis
Solve numerical involving molarity of acids and alkalis

Activity 10 : Concentration of acids and alkalis

Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.
1

The concentration of a solution refers to the quantity of solute in 1dm3 of solution

Concentration can be defined in two ways :(a)

(b)

Concentration in g dm-3

Concentration in mol dm-3

(Concentration in mol dm-3 is also known as molarity or molar concentration (M ) )

2

The two units of concentration can be inter-converted:

X Molar mass
Concentration in............................

Concentration in ...................
Molar mass
Work this out.
3

5.0 g of copper(II) sulphate is dissolved in water to form 500 cm3 solution. Calculate the
concentration of copper(II) sulphate solution in g dm-3 ?

[Answer: 10.0 g dm-3]

4

What is the mass of sodium carbonate required to dissolve in water to prepare 200 cm3
solution that contains 50 g dm-3 ?

[Answer: 10 g]

4.0 g of sodium carbonate powder, Na 2CO3 , is dissolved in water and made up to 250 cm 3.
What is the molarity of the sodium carbonate solution?
[Relative atomic mass: C, 12; O, 16; Na, 23]

[Answer: 0.15 mol dm-3]

Activity 11
The number of moles of solute, n in a given volume of solution V and the molarity of M can be
calculated by using the formula :
n = MV
n =
M =
V =

Number of moles of solute

Molarity of solution (mol dm-3)
Volume of solution (dm3)

If the volume is in cm3 convert the volume of solution from cm3 to dm3
n = MV
1000

or

n = M x

V
1000

Calculate the number of moles of ammonia in 150 cm3 of 2 mol dm-3 aqueous ammonia.

[Answer: 0.3 mol]

A student pipetted 20.0 cm of potassium hydroxide , KOH solution into a conical flask. The
concentration of the alkali was 1.5 mol dm-3 . Calculate the number of moles of potassium ,
KOH in the flask.
3

[Answer: 0.03 mol dm-3]

Calculate the number of moles of hydrogen ions present in 200 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm-3 sulphuric
acid, H2SO4.

[Answer: 0.2 mol of H+ ions]

Activity 12 : Preparation of Standard solutions

1

What is a standard solution?

Preparation of standard solutions by Weighing method (mass of solute) :Step 1 : Calculate the mass of solute needed .
mass =

n = mass
molar mass

molar mass

MV
X
1000

molar mass

n = MV
1000

Example: To prepare 100 cm3 of 2.0 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution.
Calculate the mass of NaOH needed. [Relative atomic mass: Na, 23 ; O, 16 ; H, 1]
mass

molar mass

MV
X molar mass
1000
=
2.0 X 100 X 40
=
1000

8g

Try this:
(a) To prepare 250 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm-3 sodium carbonate solution.
Calculate the mass of Na2CO3 needed. [Relative atomic mass: Na, 23 ; O, 16 ; C, 12]

[Answer : 26.50g]

(b) 0.25 mol dm-3 solution of sodium hydroxide was prepared by dissolving x g of sodium
hydroxide in 750 cm3 of water. What is the value of x ?
[Relative atomic mass: Na, 23 ; O, 16 ; H, 1]

[Answer : 7.5 g]

Step 2 :
Match the descriptions / procedures with the correct diagram below.

Wash and rinse the weighing bottle

or small beaker and filter funnel to
ensure no solute remains in any
of the apparatus used.
Transfer the dissolved solute into a
suitable volumetric flask.

(a)

Add water slowly by using a

dropper to bring the level of the
solution to the calibration mark.
The volumetric flask is closed
tightly and inverted several times to
get a uniform or homogenous
solution.

(b)

Calculate the mass of solute

needed.
Weigh out the exact mass of solute
needed in a weighing bottle.
Dissolved the solute in a small
amount of distilled water.

(c)

Add more water carefully to the

volumetric flask and swirl gently.
Shake well to ensure thorough
mixing.

(d)

Activity 13 : Preparation of Standard solutions by Dilution method

1

Dilution method
Step 1 : Calculate the volume of stock solution required by using the equation:M1V1 = M2V2
M1 = molarity of solution before dilution
V1 = volume of solution before dilution
M2 = molarity of solution after dilution
V2 = volume of solution after dilution

When using the equation M1V1 = M2V2 ,

make sure that both V1 and V2 are of
the same unit.

Example: 50 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide, NaOH solution from 2.0 mol dm-3

sodium hydroxide,NaOH solution

Before dilution
M1
2.0 mol dm-3
2.0 x V1 = 0.1 x 50
V1 = 0.1 x 50
2.0

After dilution
M2
V2
0.1 mol dm-3
50 cm3

V1
?
2.5 cm3

Try this: 100 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm-3 potassium manganate(VII) ,KMnO4 solution is prepared
from 1.0 mol dm-3 potassium manganate(VII) ,KMnO4 solution. Calculate the volume of the
solution

[Answer : 50 cm3]
(a)

Step 2
Match the diagram with the correct descriptions below.
Add water slowly by using a dropper to
bring the level of the solution to the
calibration mark.
The volumetric flask is closed tightly and
inverted several times to get a uniform or
homogenous solution.

(b)

Transfer the stock solution to a suitable

volumetric flask.

(c)

Calculate the volume of stock solution

required.

Use a pipette to draw up the required

volume of stock solution.

(d)

Activity 14 : The pH values and molarity of acids and alkalis

Fill in the blanks with correct words . Use words given in the box.

Increases
decreases
dissociation higher
1

concentration
hydrogen
hydroxide
alkali

The pH value of an acid or an alkali depends on three factors :

(a) degree of.
(b) molarity or ..

2
3
4

(c) .. of the acid or ..

The lower the pH value, the .. the concentration of ions.
The higher the pH value, the .. the concentration of ... ions.
As the molarity of an acid increases , the pH value of the acid .
The pH value of an alkali increases when the molarity of the alkali ...

D:

NEUTRALISATION
Learning Outcomes
You should be able: Explain the meaning of neutralisation.
Write equations for neutralisation
Explain the applications of neutralization in daily life
Describe the titration process of acid-base
Determine the end-point of titration during neutralization
Solve numerical problems involving neutralisation

Activity 15 : Neutralisation

What is the meaning of neutralisation?

..
What are the only products of neutralisation?

.
Write a balanced chemical equation for the neutralisation of the following reactions:(a) nitric acid and barium hydroxide

(b) sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide

(c) ethanoic acid and potassium hydroxide

Complete the flow chart below:-

Activity 16 : Acid base Titration

1 What is a titration?
Is a method used to determine the (v) of acid needed to neutralize completely of a

known volume and concentration of alkali with the help of indicator

What is the function of an indicator?

To show (e). point of titration

3 Complete the table below.
Indicator

Acid

Colour in solution
Neutral

Alkali

Red litmus paper

Blue litmus paper
Phenolphthalein
Methyl orange

4 Write out the procedure for carrying out an acid-base titration to determine the volume of
nitric acid 0.5 mol dm-3 needed to neutralise 25 cm3 potassium hydroxide 0.5 mol dm-3 .
Label the diagram.

Volume of alkali is measured accurately using (p).

Transfer the alkali into (c) (f). Add

2 to 3 drops of indicator

Fill burette with acid. Record initial reading

Acid solution from (b)..is added slowly into the conical

flask. Swirl the contents of the flask

Continue adding acid until the indicator changes colour. Record

final burette reading

Activity 17 : Numerical problems involving neutralisation

Useful equations in solving numerical problems involving neutralisation.:
n = mass
molar mass
mass

n = MV

MaVa
=
MbVb
b

n
=
no of moles
M
=
Molarity of solution
V
=
Volume of solution in dm3
Ma
=
molarity of acid
Mb
=
molarity of alkali
Va
=
volume of acid
Vb
=
volume of alkali
a and b = mole ratio of acid to alkali in a balanced chemical equation

Example:
In an experiment, 25 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution, NaOH of unknown concentration
required 26.50 cm3 of 1.0 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid, H2SO4 for complete reaction in titration.
Calculate the molarity of sodium hydroxide.
Write out a balanced chemical equation:

H2SO4 +
a = 1 mol

MaVa
1
MbVb =
2
,
1.0 X 26.50 =
Mb X 25.00

2NaOH

Na2SO4 +

b = 2 mol

1
2

Mb = 2 X 1.0 X 26.50

2.12 mol dm-3 (Molarity of sodium hydroxide)

2H2O

25.00

What is the volume of 1.5 mol dm-3 aqueous ammmonia required to completely neutralise
30.00 cm3 of 0.5 mol dm-3 sulphuric acid ?
2NH3 + H2SO4
(NH4 ) 2SO4

[Answer: 20 cm3]
2

Calculate the volume in cm3 2.0 mol dm-3

completely with 2.65 g of sodium carbonate.
[Relative atomic mass: Na, 23 ; O, 16 ; C, 12]

hydrochloric acid that is required to react

[Answer: 25 cm3]
3

25 cm3 of sulphuric acid was neutralised with 18.0 cm3 of sodium hydroxide 1.0 mol
dm-3. Calculate
(a) the number of moles of sulphuric acid that is used in this reaction.
(b) the molarity of sulphuric acid

[Answer (a) 0.009 mol (b) 0.36 mol dm-3]

-3

24 cm of 0.1 mol dm NaOH is required to completely neutralise 20.0 cm 3 of sulphuric acid.

Calculate the concentration of sulphuric acid in
(a) mol dm-3
(b) g dm-3

[Answer (a) 0.06 mol dm-3 (b) 5.88 g dm-3]

What is the molarity of phosphoric acid if 15 cm of the acid is neutralized by 38.5 cm3 of 0.15
mol dm-3 NaOH ?

[Answer (a) 0.218 mol dm-3]