Chapter 7

Acids and Bases

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Introduction to Acids
and Bases
MENU
The pH Scale

Role of water and the
properties of acids
Role of water and the
properties of alkalis
Strong and Weak Acids Strong and Weak
Alkalis
Mind Map




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Meaning of Acid
Exit
An acid is a chemical substance which ionises in
water to produce hydrogen ions, H
+
.
The acidic properties of an acid is due to the
presence of hydroxonium ions, H
3
O
+
.
However,
this ion can be written as H
+
, hydrogen ion.
Hydroxonium ion



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Basicity of Acid
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Basicity of an acid is the maximum number of
hydrogen ions that is produced when one molecule
of the acid ionises in water.
Monoprotic acid is an acid which produces one
hydrogen ion when one molecule of the acid
ionises in water.
Nitric Acid



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Basicity of Acid
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Diprotic acid is an acid which produces two
hydrogen ions when one molecule of the acid
ionises in water.
For example : Sulphuric Acid, H
2
SO
4



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Meaning of Bases / Alkalis
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A alkali is a chemical substance which ionises
in water to produce hydroxide ions, OH
-
.
Bases
Alkalis
Alkalis are bases which are soluble in
water.
Bases are oxides/hydroxides of metals
which react with acids.
All alkalis are bases but not all bases are
alkalis.
_
+
Na
+
OH


-

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Uses of Acids, Bases and Alkalis
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Substance Uses
Acids
1. Sulphuric acid

To make detergents, paints, fertilisers
As electrolyte in lead-acid accumulator.
2. Hydrochloric acid To clean metals before electroplating in
industry.
3. Nitric acid To make fertilizers, plastics, explosives.
4. Ethanoic acid To make vinegar.
5. Methanoic acid To coagulate latex in the rubber
industry.
6. Carbonic acid To make fizzy drinks



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Substance Uses
Bases and Alkalis
1. Ammonia (aqueous)

To make fertilisers, cleaning
agents.
To manufacture nitric acid.
To keep latex in liquid form.
2. Magnesium hydroxide To make gastric tablets and tooth
paste.
3. Calcium hydroxide To make cement, limewater.
To neutralise acidity of soil.
4. Sodium hydroxide To make detergents, soaps,
fertilisers and bleaching agents.
Uses of Acids, Bases and Alkalis


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Exit
ROLE OF WATER ON THE
PROPERTIES OF ACID


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Role of Water
Exit
An acid only shows it acidic properties when
water is present.
Liquid glacial
ethanoic acid
Aqueous
ethanoic acid
Ethanoic acid in
dry propanone


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Role of Water
Exit
A pure acid in the dry state does not exhibit its
acidic properties.

Dry acid consists of covalent molecules only.
Thus, hydrogen ions are not present.


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Role of Water
Exit
The presence of water enables the acid molecules
to ionise to produce hydrogen ions.

Thus it exhibits acidic properties.


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Properties of Acids
Exit
Acid + base salt + water
Acid + metal salt + hydrogen gas
Acid + metal carbonate salt + water + carbon dioxide gas


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Exit
ROLE OF WATER ON THE
PROPERTIES OF ALKALI


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Role of Water
Exit
When water is present, an alkali will dissolve and
ionises to produce freely moving hydroxide ions.
Thus the alkali exhibits alkaline properties.
For Example:


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Role of Water
Exit
Without water, a pure alkali in the dry state does
not exhibit alkaline properties because it does
not contain freely moving hydroxide ions.

For example : Aqueous Ammonia Solution


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Role of Water
Exit
Alkali + acid salt + water
Alkali + metal ion insoluble
metal hydroxide
Alkali + ammonium salt salt + water + ammonia gas


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Role of Water
Exit
Alkali + acid salt + water
Alkali + metal ion insoluble
metal hydroxide
Alkali + ammonium salt salt + water + ammonia gas



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pH Scale
Exit
The pH scale is used to indicate the degree of
acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It consists of
pH values that range from 0 to 14.
pH Paper pH Meter



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pH Value
Exit
The pH value is a
measure of the
concentration of
hydrogen ions, H
+
and
hydroxide ions, OH
-
.
The lower the pH value,
the higher the
concentration of hydrogen
ions.
The higher the pH value,
the higher the
concentration of
hydroxide ions.


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pH value of substances
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Strong Acids
Exit
The strength of an acid depends on the degree of
ionisation or dissociation of the acid in water.
A strong acid is a
chemical substance
that dissociates
completely in water
to produce high
concentration of
hydrogen ions, H
+
.



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Strong Acids
Exit


H
+
+ Cl
-
(100% ionisation )

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Weak Acids
Exit
Weak acids are chemicals that dissociate partially
(incomplete dissociation) in water to produce low
concentration of hydrogen ions.
An example of weak acid is
dilute ethanoic acid,
CH
3
COOH.
Most of the ethanoic acid
exist as molecules, few as
CH
3
COO
-
and H
+
ions.



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Weak Acids
Exit
Partial dissociation
O
CH
3
C -OH




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Strong Alkalis
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A strong alkali is a chemical substance that
dissociates completely in water to produce high
concentration of hydroxide ions, OH
-
.
For example: Sodium hydroxide, NaOH
dissociation
dissociation




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Weak Alkalis
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A weak alkali is a chemical substance that
dissociates partially (incomplete dissociation) to
produce low concentration of hydroxide ions, OH
-
in
water.
For example: Aqueous Ammonia Solution, NH
3
High pH value



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Mind Map 1
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Mind Map 2
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Mind Map 3
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Dissociation of Strong and Weak Alkalis
in Water
NH
3
(aq)

NH
3
(aq)

NH
3
(aq)