ACIDS

Organic acids example Acetic acid Formic acid Lactic acid Malic acid Citric acid Tannic acid Tartaric acid Source Vinegar Ants Sour milk Young apple Limes Tea grapes Inorganic acids (mineral acid) example Nitric acid Hydrochloric acid Source laboratories laboratories

Sulphuric acid laboratories

Carbonic acid Carbonated drinks

DIFFERENCES
ORGANIC ACID Living things ORIGINAL (plant & animal) SOURCE Weak acids Less corrosive INORGANIC ACID Rocks & mineral

STRENGTH OF Strong acids ACID CORROSIVE Very corrosive

It has a sour taste It has a pH value of below 7 It turns blue litmus paper to red It is corrosive It contains hydrogen. All or part of the hydrogen can be displaced by a suitable metal, e.g. zinc and magnesium. 6) It reacts with a carbonate to release carbon dioxide. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Acids
Things with a sour taste contain acids.
lemon contains citric acid

soft drinks contain carbonic acid

vinegar contains ethanoic acid

yoghurt contains lactic acid

Acids
Bodies of some animals (or insects) contain acids.

ants defend themselves by squirting acid at their enemies

Some acids can be found in the laboratory.

car battery contains sulphuric acid

common laboratory acids: hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid

ACID
Hydrochloric acids

USES
Used to removed rust Used in toilet cleansing agents. Used in car batteries Used in making fertilisers and plastic

Sulphuric acid

ACID
Carbonic acid Citric acid Ascorbic acid Benzoic acid

USES
Used in making fizzy drinks Used in fruit juices and health salts Used making vitamin C Used as preservative, e.g. in sauces

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

It has a bitter taste It has a pH value of above 7 It turns red litmus paper to blue It is slippery and corrosive It reacts with an ammonium salt to release carbon ammonia gas.

ALKALI
Potassium hydroxide

USES
Used to make soap and detergent Used to dye cloth Used to make soap, detergents, pulp and paper Used in toothpaste and milk of magnesia

Sodium hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide

ALKALI
Calcium chloride

USES
Used in making cement, mortar and glass Used to correct the acidity of water in water treatment plants Used to make fertilisres and agents for cleaning glass panes Used to prevent coagulation of latex

Ammonia solution

Alkalis
Things with a slippery feel contain alkalis.
soap

indigestion tablets bleach

Some alkalis can be found in the laboratory.

common laboratory alkalis: sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and ammonia solution

Testing for Acids and Alkalis

Indicators (eg. litmus) can be used to test for acids or alkalis. An indicator is a dye that changes into a different colour depending on whether it is an acid or alkali.

blue litmus paper turns red in acid

red litmus paper turns blue in alkali

Examples of other natural indicators include brightcoloured flowers, vegetables, berries, and etc.

Universal Indicator and pH

Universal indicator is a mixture of other indicators.

universal indicator solution

colour of paper shows the pH value of 1

Indicator turns into different colours when it is added to different substances. Each colour corresponds to a pH value between 0 and 14.

Universal Indicator and pH

The universal indicator is also called the pH indicator, but it only gives approximate values. It describes how acidic or alkaline a solutions is.

Acids

Neutral
pH colour chart

Alkalis

For accurate pH values, 1) pH meter pH value is indicated on the meter when the electrode is simply dipped into a solution 2) pH sensor pH value is read from the monitor when connected to a computer

Universal Indicator and pH

10

11

12

13

14

Strong acids and alkalis are corrosive, therefore more harmful. Weak acids and alkalis are safe to eat or touch.

Mixing Acids and Alkalis

What is

Neutralisation???
Definition:
Solutions that are neither acidic nor alkaline are said to be neutral (pH 7). They can be formed by adding the right amount of alkali to acid. During neutralisation, two new substances are formed. Acid + Alkali Salt + Water

Some Properties of Acids and Alkalis

Acids 1 Sour taste 1 Alkalis Slippery feel

Turn blue litmus paper red

Turn red litmus paper blue

Acids neutralise alkalis When mixed with metals, hydrogen gas is produced When mixed with substances called carbonates, carbon dioxide gas is produced

Alkalis neutralise acids