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CBSE Board (Class-10th) Science Notes

LESSON 2
ACIDS, BASES & SALTS

INTRODUCTION
A wide variety of materials consists essentially of elements and compounds having different
characteristics exist around us. Some of them are sour, some are bitter, while some are salty in taste.
For Example - Sour and bitter tastes of food are due to acids and bases, respectively, present in them.
Acids react with bases to produce salt whose properties are different from acid and base,
ACIDS –
The term "acid" is derived from the latin word "acidus" meaning sour to taste.
Example - Sour taste of lemon, unripened grapes, Vinegar, tomatoes etc.
According to Arrhenius theory:
"An acid is a substance which dissolved in water; it ionizes and releases hydrogen ions  H   aq.  in
solution".

Note: - Hydrogen ion do not exist as H  ions in solution, they attach themselves to the polar water
molecules to form hydronium ions or hydroxonium ions,  H 3O or H   aq. 

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BASES –
Substances with bitter taste and given a soapy touch are known as bases but many bases have
corrosive nature. So bases are defined as”
 According to Arrhenius :

Those substance which give hydroxide or hydroxylion  OH   in their aqueous solution” are
called bases.

NaOH  aq   Na   aq   OH   aq 

KOH  aq   K   aq   OH   aq 

Example: Sodium hydroxide  NaOH  , Zinc oxide  ZnO  , Copper oxide  CuO  , Calcium
hydroxide Ca  OH 2  , Aluminum hydroxide  Al  OH 3  .

 The compound which are either metallic oxide or metallic hydroxide. Which combines with acids to
form salts and water only
CuO  2HCl 
 CuCl2 + H 2O

Base Acid Salt Water

NaOH + HCl 
 NaCl + H 2O

Base Acid Salt Water

Mg  OH 2 + H 2 SO4 
 MgSO4 + 2H 2O

Base Acid Salt Water

Alkalis
Base which completely dissolves in water are called alkalis.

Examples - KOH , NaOH , Ca  OH 2

 All the alkalis are bases but all bases are not alkalis.

Examples  Fe  OH 3  ferric hydroxide and cupric hydroxide Cu  OH 2  are base, but not an alkali.

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PROPERTIES OF ACID AND BASES

(1) Physical properties of Acid
(I) Taste - Acids have sour test.
(II) Physical state - Some acid are solids while other are liquid at room temperature.
Example -
Solid - Oxalic acid  COOH 2 , Boric acid  H 3 BO3 

Liquid - Acetic acid  CH 3COOH  , Formic acid  HCOOH  .

Sulphuric acid  H 2 SO4 

Volatile liquid - Carbonic acid  H 2CO3  , Hydrochloric acid  HCl  Nitric acid  HNO3 

(III) Effect of Indicator

They affect the indicators as given below
Indicator Change in acidic medium
Blue litmus paper Blue to Red
Methyl orange Orange to pink
Phenolphthalein Remains colourless
 Carbonic acid (H2CO3) turns blue litmus to pink. Because this is weak mineral acid.
 Litmus - A water soluble purple dye, extracted from certain lichens, a plant belonging
to the division thallophyta and is commonly used as an indicator. The pH range for litmus is 4.5 -
8.3 at room temperature.

Ques. You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water and the other
two contain an acidic solution and basic solution, respectively. If you are given red litmus paper, how will
you identify the contents of each test tube? [NCERT]

Activity: Take small amount of finely chopped onions along with some strips of clean cloth in a plastic bag.
Tie up the bag tigthtly and leave it as such in a refrigerator for a night. In the morning, take two of these
strips and check their odour. Now put a few drops of dilute HCI solution on one strip and a few drops of
dilute NaOH solution on the other. Rinses both the cloth strips with water and again check their odour and
note down in your note book. You will see that onion will give different odour in HCI and NaOH.
You can repeat the activity by taking dilute vanilla essence. Smell dilute vanilla essence. Now take some
dilute HCI solution in one test tube and dilute NaOH solution in another test tube add a few drops of
dilute vanilla essence to both the test tubes and shake well. Check the odour once again. You will feel

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different smells in both the test tubes. Lastly, you can repeat the activity by taking clove oil in place of
vanilla essence.
From this activity, we conclude that vanilla, onion or clove oil can also be used as olfactory indicators since
these change their odour in acidic and basic media.
(IV) Effect on Skin - All strong mineral acids have a corrosive action on skin and cause painful
burns.
Example -
Concentrated sulphuric acid stains the skin black. Concentrated nitric acid & hydrochloric acid stains
the skin yellow.
(V) Electrical Conductivity: All mineral acids are good conductors of electricity and conduct
electricity in their aqueous solution. On electrolysis, they decompose liberating hydrogen at cathode
(2) Chemical Properties of Acids –
(I) Reaction with metals
Dilute acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid  H 2 SO4  reacts certain active metals to
evolve hydrogen gas form their metallic salt
Zn  s   H 2 SO4 
 ZnSO4  aq   H 2  g 

dilute
2 Na  s   2HCl 
 2NaCl  aq   H 2  g 

dilute
Mg  s   H 2 SO4 
 MgSO4  aq   H 2  g 

dilute
Fe  s   H 2 SO4 
 FeSO4  aq   H 2  g 

dilute
Activity: To study the reaction of acids, with metals.
 Materials required: Granulated zinc, dilute sulphuric acid. Boiling tube, Matchbox
 Procedure: Take about 5 ml of dilute sulphuric acid in a boiling tube. Add a few piece of zinc metal
into it and place an inverted boiling tube over its mouth. You can see the bubbles of hydrogen gas
coming out of the mixture in the lower tube. After a few minutes, remove the upper boiling tube
(Keeping its mouth downwards) near to its mouth. What do you see? The gas in the upper boiling
tube burns with a blue flame producing popping sound. Repeat similar experiment with different
acids and a few other metals. Write down your observations.

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 Observation: Colourless, odourless gas is evolved. It burns explosively with a 'pop' sound.
Zn  s   H 2 SO4  dil   ZnSO4  aq   H 2  g 

 Conclusion: Reactive metals react with dilute acid to liberate hydrogen gas.

Delivery tube
Stand Burning of hydrogen
gas with a pop sound
Candle
Test tube
Dilute Hydrogen
gas
sulphuric acid bubbler
Zinc granules Soap bubbler filled
with hydrogen

Soap
solution
Reaction of zinc granules with dilute sulphuric acid and
testing hydrogen gas by burning

 Metals which can displace hydrogen from dilute acid are known as active metals.
e.g. – Na, K, Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg etc.
Q. Why should curd and sour substances not keep in brass and copper vessels? [NCERT]
Q. Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal? Illustrate with an example. How
will you test for the presence of this gas? [NCERT]
Q. Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when
(a) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc granules [NCERT]
(b) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium ribbon.
(c) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder
(d) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with iron filings
Q. Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric acid  HCl  is
added to test tube A. while acetic acid  CH 3COOH  is added to lest tube B. Amount and
concentration taken for both the acids are same. In which test tube will the fizzing occur more
vigorously and why? [NCERT]

(II) Reaction with metal carbonates and metal Hydrogen Carbonates –

Both metal carbonates and hydrogen carbonates (bicarbonates) react with dilute acids to evolve CO2
gas and form salt.

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Activity : To study the reaction of sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate with dilute acids.
 Materials required: Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Sodium hydrogencarbonate. Hydrochloric acid
(dil). Limewater, Boiling tubes, Delivery tube.
 Procedure:

Thistle funnel
Spiral
Cork Delivery tube
Test tube

Carbon dioxide
Dilute Test tube
Calcium
hydrochloric hydroxide
acid
Sodium solution
carbonate

Reaction of hydrochloric acid with sodium carbonate

(washing soda) and testing the gas evolved

Take about 0.5g of sodium carbonate in a boiling tube, and 2-3 ml of freshly prepared limewater in
another test tube. Set a delivery tube as shown in fig. given alongside. Add about 2mL of dilute
hydrochloric acid into the boiling tube containing sodium carbonate. A brisk effervescence is seen
in the reaction mixture. Pass the gas evolved through limewater with the help of a delivery tube.
What do your observe? The limewater turns milky. When excess of carbon dioxide is passed, the
milky ness disappears. Repeat similar experiment with sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3), and
if desired with other acids also.
 Conclusion : All acids decompose carbonates and hydrogencarbonates with the liberation of carbon
dioxide gas.

Q. Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The gas evolved
extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction if one of the
compounds formed is calcium chloride. [NCERT]

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(III) Reaction with metallic oxide

Metal oxides react with dilute acids to form salt and water

Activity : To study the reaction of dilute acid with metal oxides (or basic oxides.)
 Materials required: Copper (II) oxide. Dilute hydrochloric acid , Test tube
 Procedure: Take about 0.5g of copper (II) oxide (black in color) in a test tube. Add dilute
hydrochloric acid drop wise with occasional shaking till copper (II) oxide dissolve. Note the
color of the solution. I not it bluish-green? It is the solution of copper (II) chloride.
 Conclusion: Acids react with metal oxides to give the corresponding salt & water.

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(IV) Reaction with metallic sulphites and hydrogen sulphites

Metallic sulphites and hydrogen sulphites react with dilute acids to liberate sulphur dioxide.

(V) Reaction with metallic sulphides and hydrogen sulphides

Metallic sulphides and hydrogen sulphides react with dilute acid to liberate hydrogen sulphides gas.

(VI) Reaction with metal chlorides

Metal chlorides react with concentrated acids to produce hydrogen chloride gas. Which give white
dense fumes with ammonia?
2NaCl  s  + conc. H 2 SO4 
  Na2 SO4  aq  + 2HCl  g 
Sodium chloride Sodium Sulphate
2KCl  s  + conc. H 2 SO4 
  K 2 SO4  aq  + 2HCl  g 
Potassium chloride Potassium Sulphate
HCl  g  + NH 3  g  
  NH 4Cl  s 
Ammonia Ammonium chloride (White dense
fumes)
(VII) Reaction with metal nitrates
Metal nitrate react with concentrated acids to produce more volatile nitric acid.
2NaNO3 + conc. H 2 SO4 
  Na2 SO4  aq  + 2HNO3
Sodium nitrate Sodium Sulphate
(VIII) Reaction of Acid and Base with each other –
All metallic hydroxides (Bases) react with acids to form their metallic salt and water. This reaction
is also known as acid-base neutralization reaction.

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Activity : To study reactions of an acid say, Hydrochloric acid with an alkali or

base.
 Materials required : Hydrochloric acid solution, sodium hydroxide solution,
phenolphthalein indicator, Boiling tube, dropper, trough.
 Procedure : Take about 5 mL of dilute solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in a test
tube. Add 2 drops of phenolphthalein indicator in it. The solution in the
test tube turns pink. Now, add dilute solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl)
when the pink color of the solution just disappears.
Now, add a drop of sodium hydroxide solution and shake the test tube to
mix the solution. What do you see? The solution turns pink. Add a drop of
HCl solution to the solution in the test tube. The pink color disappears.
Keep repeating the addition of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid
solution one after the other and watch the appearance and disappearance
of pink colour.
 Conclusion : This experiment shows that the addition of HCI solution destroys the
alkaline nature of NaOH. On the other hand, the addition of NaOH
solution destroys the acidic nature of HCI. That is, both NaOH and HCI
appear to cancel the effect of each other. Such a reaction between an acid
and alkali is called neutralization.

Q. What is a neutralisation reaction? Given two examples

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Physical Properties of Bases –

(I) Taste - They are sharp bitter in taste.
(II) Effect on skin - They give a feeling of soapy touch and all alkali have a mild corrosive action on
skin.
(III) Effect on Indicator - They effect the indicators as given below -
Indicator Change in acidic medium
Red Litmus Red to Blue
Methyl orange Orange to yellow
Phenolphthalein Colourless to pink
Turmeric Paper Yellow to red brown
(4) Chemical Properties of Bases
(I) Reaction with Metals
Bases react with some metals to liberate hydrogen gas.

(II) Reaction of Bases with Non-metallic oxide –

Bases react with non-metallic oxide to form their respective carbonates and water

 Some of the alkalis like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are called deliquescence because they
absorb carbon dioxide from the air and its strength decreases with time.
(III) Reaction of Bases with Acids
They neutralise the acids to form salt
Acid  Base 
 Salt + Water
(IV) Reaction of Bases with ammonium salt.
Bases react with ammonium salt to evolve ammonia gas.

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(V) Reaction of Bases with Salt

Bases react with salt solution to form another base and another salt.

Use of Bases
S. No Base Use
1 Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) It is used in the manufacture of washing soap, paper, petrol
refining and as a reagent in the laboratory.
2 Potassium hydroxide (KOH) It is used in the manufacture of soap paper (bathing soap)
and alkaline batteries.
3 Calcium hydroxide (Slaked It is used in the manufacture of bleaching powder and
lime) [Ca(OH)2] softening of hard water.
4 Magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] It is used as an antacid.
5 Aluminium hydroxide [Al(OH)3] It is used as a foaming agent in fire extinguishers-
6 Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) It is used in removing grease stains from clothes
7 Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) It is used as a cleaning agent for domestic purposes and
also for removing permanent hardness of water.
Comparis between Properties of ACIDS & BASES
Acids Bases
(i) Sour in taste (i) Bitter in taste
(ii) The properties are due to the presence of (ii) The properties are due to the presence of
hydrogen ion  H   in water solution of an hydroxide ion  OH   in water solution of a
acid base
(iii) Turns blue litmus to red (iii) Turns red litmus to blue
(iv) Aqueous solution conducts electricity (iv) Aqueous solution conducts electricity
(v) Reacts with active metals like Na, K, Ca (v) Does not react with metals except with Zn,
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and Zn to give hydrogen gas Al and Zn

(vi) Acidic properties disappear when react (vi) Basic properties disappears when react
with bases (Neutralization) with acids (Neutralization)
(vii) Reacts with carbonates to give carbon (vii) Absorbs carbon dioxide to form carbonate
dioxide
(viii) Frequently corrosive to skin (viii) Frequently corrosive to skin and slippery
in nature
(ix) The pH value is less than 7 at 25°C (ix) The pH value is greater than 7 at 25°C

WHAT DO ALL ACIDS AND BASES HAVE IN COMMON?

A common thing for all the acids is that they produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.
For Example - Acids like HCl , H 2 SO4 , HNO3 , CH3COOH etc. show acidic character because they
dissociate in aqueous solution to produce hydrogen ions.
But all the compounds containing hydrogen are not acids such as glucose  C6 H12O6  and alcohol
 C2 H5OH  also contain hydrogen but they do not show acidic character.
Activity : To find the characteristics common between acids and bases.
 Materials required : Dilute hydrochloric acid. Dilute sulphuric acid.
Dilute solution of sodium hydroxide, Ethanol, Glucose solution &
Beaker, Carbon electrodes, Dry cells, bulb 1.5 V, Key.
 Procedure : Take a beaker and place two carbon electrodes into it.
Connect the electrodes to a battery bulb through a key and a dry cell.
Pour dilute hydrochloric acid into the beaker and press the key. Did
the bulb glow? Perform similar experiment with all the given
solutions, and record your observation
 Observation

Solution Bulb glows Bulb does not glow Nature of solution

Dil. Hydrochloric   Conducting

Dil. Sulphuric   Conducting

Dil. Sodium hydroxide   Conducting

Ethanol   Non-Conducting

Glucose solution   Non-Conducting

 Conclusion : The solutions of acids and bases are good conductors of electricity. The solution of
glucose and ehtanol are nonconductor of electricity.
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A common thing for all the bases (or) is that they all produce hydroxide ions  OH   when dissolved in
water.
For Example – NaOH, Mg (OH)2, Ca (OH)2 and NH4OH are all bases because they dissolve in water
to produce hydroxide ion  OH  

Q. Why do HCl, HNO3, etc show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of compounds
like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic characters? [NCERT]
Q. Why does an aqueous solution of acid conduct electricity? [NCERT]
Q. Compounds such as alcohols and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorised as acids.
Describe an Activity to prove it.

ACIDS OR BASES (ALKALI) IN WATER SOLUTION

The acidic behaviour of acids due to the presence of hydrogen ions. H+ (aq) ions, in them. The acids
produce hydrogen ions only in the presence of water. So, in the absence of water, a substance will not
form hydrogen ions and hence will not show its acidic behaviour.

Q. Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper? [NCERT]
Q. Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rain water does? [NCERT]
Q. Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water? [NCERT]
Activity : To show that acids furnish H  (aq) ions only in the presence of water.
 Materials required: Common salt, Conc, sulphuric acid, anhydrous calcium chloride, blue litmus
paper, boiling tube, delivery tube packed with anhydrous calcium chloride.
 Procedure:

Take 0.5g of dry common salt in a dry boiling tube. Add a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid over
common salt in the boiling tube. What do you see? A colourless, irritating gas is evolved. Fit a cork carrying a

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calcium chloride packed delivery tube into the mouth of the boiling tube. Bring a dry blue litmus paper near
the opening of the calcium chloride tube. Observe, if there is any change in colour. Colour of the litmus
paper remains unchanged. Now, bring a moistened blue litmus paper near the mouth of the calcium chloride
tube. Do you observe any change in the colour of litmus paper? Yes, blue litmus has changed to red.
From the above activity, following conclusion can be drawn :-
 Conclusion: Dry HCI gas on coming in contact with dry blue litmus paper does not produce H+ ions,
and hence the colour of litmus paper does not change so. We can say that separation of H+ ions form
acid takes place only in the presence of water.
Important Point – Why should water be never added to dilution of an Acid?
Ans. Mixing of water in acid is an exothermic process and more heat is produced that splashing of water.
In order to avoid this. We must add acid into water and not water into acid.
Morever, acid must also be added to water in small lots and not in one installment.

HOW STRONG ARE ACID OR BASE SOLUTION

Acids and bases on dilution with water, decreases the concentration of H   aq  or OH   aq  ions in the acidic
and basic solutions respectively. If we find quantitatively, the amount of H  aq  / OH  aq  ions present in
a solution, we can judge how strong an acid or a base is?
We can do this by the help of a universal indicator, which is a mixture of several indicators. The universal
indicator shows different colours at different concentration of hydrogen ions or pH values in solution.

Q. When diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not
water to the acid? [NCERT]
Q. How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) affected when a soution of an acid is
diluted? [NCERT]
Q. How is the concentration of hydroxide ions  OH   affected when excess base is dissolved in a
solution of sodium hydroxide? [NCERT]
Q. You have two solutions, A and B. The pH of solutions A is 6 and pH of solution B is 8. Which
solution has more hydrogen ion concentration? Which of this is acidic and which one is basic?
[NCERT]
Q. What effect does the concentration of H+ (aq) ions have on the nature of the solution? [NCERT]
Q. Do basic solutions also have H+(aq) ions? If yes, then why are these basic? [NCERT]

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pH SCALE-
S.P.L. sorenson. a Danish Chemist in 1909 introduced the concept of measuring the concentration of
hydrogen ions ( H  (aq)] in a particular solution., The p in pH stands for 'potenz' in German, meaning
power. On the pH scale we can measure pH from "0" (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline).

Variation of pH with the change in concentration of H  (aq) and OH (aq) ions

The concentration of H  (aq) and OH  (aq) ions in pure water is 1107 mol litre1. This means that all
aqueous solutions contain both H  (aq) and OH  (aq) ions. The product of concentration of H  (aq) and
OH  (aq) in water is constant (equal to 11014 mol 2 litre 2 at 25 C ) and is known as ionic product of
water  K w  .
K w  H  aq  OH  aq 

 1107 1107   11014 mol2litre2at25C

 If H  aq   OH  aq   1107 mol litre1 , then the solution is neutral

 If H  aq   OH  aq 

 H  aq   110
 7
mol litre1  , then the solution should be acidic
 And H  aq   OH  aq  or
H  aq   1107 mol litre1 , then the solution should basic or alkaline

Table pH Value of some Common Substance

Solution pH Value Solution pH Value

Conc. Hydrochloric acid 0 Dil. Hydrochloric acid 1.0
Conc. Sodium hydroxide 14.0 Dil. Sodium hydroxide 13.0
Gastric Juice 1.4 Lemon juice 2.5
Vinegar 4.0 Tomato juice 4.1

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Saliva (before meals) 7.4 Saliva (after meals) 5.8

Coffee 5.0 Soft drinks 6.0
Blood 7.4 Eggs 7.8
Toothpaste 8.0 Baking Soda Solution 8.5
Washing Soda Solution 9.0 Pure Water 7.0

Q. Five solutions A, B, C, D and E when tested with universal indicator showed pH as 4, 1, 11, 7
and 9, respectively. Which solution is [NCERT]
(a) neutral (b) strongly alkaline (c) strongly acidic (d) weakly acidic
Q. Fresh milk has pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd? Explain your
answer [NCERT]
Q. Why milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk. [NCERT]
(a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline?
(b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd?

Importance of pH in everyday life

(1) Plants and Animals are pH Sensitive
The pH plays an important role in the survival of animals, including human being. Our body works
well with in a narrow pH range of 7.0 to 7.8. The aquatic animals (Fish) can survive in river water
with in a narrow range of pH change.
Example - When the pH of rain water is about 5.6, it is called acid rain. Too much acid rain can lower
the pH of river water to such an extent and make it so acidic that the survival of aquatic animals
becomes difficult or kill the aquatic animals.
Soil pH and Plants
Most of the plants grow best when the pH of soil is close to 7. If the soil is too acidic or too basic (too
alkaline), the plants grow badly or do not grow at all.
Treatment of Acidic or Basic Soil
The pH of acidic soil can reach as low as 4 and that of the basic soil can go up to 8.3. Chemicals can
be added to soil to adjust its pH and make it suitable for growing plants. If the soil is too acidic, then it
is treated with materials like quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide) or chalk
(Calcium carbonate). All these materials are bases and hence react with the excess acid present in soil
and reduce its acidity. If the soil is too basic (or too alkaline) then its alkalinity can be reduced by
adding decaying organic matter (manure or compost). Which contains acidic materials.
(2) Importance of pH in our digestive system
As we know our stomach produces gastric juice which contains large amount of hydrochloric acid
(pH about 1.4). The acid so produced does not harm the stomach walls, but kills germs and bacteria
which enter in our digestive system along with food, thus in a way it protects us from diseases and
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helps in digestion. Sometimes excess of acid is produced in the stomach due to overeating or eating
spicy foods. This stage is called acidity. To get relief from this pain, we take tablets known as
antacids. These contain bases to neutralise the excess acids.
Example - Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia). Mg  OH 2
(3) pH change as the cause of tooth decay
Generally, the pH in the mouth is more than 7, as the saliva produced in the mouth is basic in nature.
However, when we take food, some food particles remain in the mouth after eating and bacteria
present in the mouth produce acids by degradation of food particles. This acid lowers the pH in the
mouth, tooth decay starts when the pH of acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5. Therefore to
prevent tooth decay, it is advised to clean the mouth and use toothpastes which are generally basic,
for cleaning the teeth. It neutralise the excess acid and prevent tooth decay.
(4) Self defence by animals and plants through chemical Warfare
The sting of the honey bee contains formic acid, this-acid causes a lot of irritation and pain. The
pain can be reduced by applying baking soda paste on the affected region as the acid gets
neutralised.
In plant kingdom nettle (Bichu-Booti) is a herbaceous-plant which grows in wild. The nettle leaves
have stinging hair. When a person happens to touch the leaves of a nettle plant accidentally, the
stinging hair of nettle leaves inject methanoic acid (HCOOH) into the skin of the person causing
burning pain. The nettle sting, being acidic can be neutralised by rubbing baking soda on the skin.
Nature provides remedy for the nettle sting in the form of a 'dock' plant, which often grows besides the
nettle plants. The leaves of dock plant contain some basic chemicals which neutralises methanoic
acid.
SALTS –
 A substance formed by the partial or complete replacement of H   aq  ions of an acid by a metal or
electropositive ion, is called a salt
For Example –
H 2SO4  NaOH 
 NaHSO4  H 2O

Sodium hydrogen sulphate

(Partial replacement : only one hydrogen atom are replaced)
H 2SO4 + 2NaOH 
 Na2SO4 + 2H 2O
Sodium sulphate
(Complete replacement : Both the hydrogen atom are replaced)
 A substance formed by neutralization of an acid with a base is called a salt.
For Example –

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HCl (aq)  NaOH (aq) 

 NaCl (aq)  H 2O
Acid Base Salt Water
 A salt is a ionic compound which dissolved in water dissociate to positive ions other than hydrogen
ions  H   and negative ions other than hydroxyl ions  OH   are called salts.

Example –
NaCl + Water 
 Na   aq   Cl  aq 

CuSO4  Water   Ca 2  aq  + SO24  aq 

Naming of Salts –
(A) Salt obtained from "Sulphuric acid" are called "Sulphates", e.g. Na2SO4, CuSO4
(B) Salt obtained from "nitric acid" are called "Nitrates" e.g. KNO3, NaNO3
(C) Salt obtained from "hydrochloric acid" are called "Chlorides" e.g. NaCI, CaCI2, KCI
(D) Salt obtained from "phosphoric acid" are called "Phosphates" e.g. Ca3 (PO4)2, Na3PO4, Mg3(PO4)2
(E) Salt obtained from "carbonic acid" are called "Carbonates" e.g. Na2CO3, K2CO3, CaCO3
(F) Salt obtained from acetic acid are called "Acetates" e.g. CH3COONa, (CH3COO)2 Ca, CH3(COO)2Pb.
CLASSIFICATION OF SALTS
The salts may be classified in the following ways
(1) Normal Salts
The salts which are obtained by complete replacement of the ionisable hydrogen atoms or hydroxyl
ion by a metallic or an ammonium ion are called normal salts
"OR"
A salt that does not contain any replaceable hydrogen atoms or hydroxyl groups is called a normal
salt.
Example

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Some normal salts with their parent acids

S. No. Parent Acid Normal Salts
1 Hydrochloric acid (HCI) NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, AlCl3, ZnCl2, CaCl2 and NH4Cl
2 Nitric acid (HNO3) NaNO3, KNO3, Mg(NO3)2, Al(NO3)3, Zn(NO3)2, Ca(NO3)2
3 Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) Na2SO4, K2SO4, MgSO4, Al2(SO4)3, ZnSO4, CaSO4
4 Acetic acid (CH3COOH) CH3COONa, CH3COOK, (CH3COO)2Ca, (CH3COO)2Pb,
5 Carbonic acid (H2CO3) Na2CO3, K2CO3, MgCO3, ZnCO3, CaCO3, (NH4)2CO3
6 Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) Na3PO4, K3PO4, Mg3(PO4)2 Zn3(PO4)2, Ca3(PO4)2

(2) Acidic Salts –

The salts which are obtained by the partial replacement of ionisable hydrogen atoms of a polybasic
acid by a metal or an ammonium ion are called Acid Salts.
H 2SO4 + NaOH 
 NaHSO4 + H 2O
Insufficient amount Sodium hydrogen
Sulphate (acid salt)
NaHSO4 
 Na   H + SO24

SOME ACID SALT WITH THEIR PARENT ACIDS

S. No. Parent Acid Acid salts
1 Sulphuric acid  H 2SO4  NaHSO4 , KHSO4 , Ca  HSO4 2

2 Carbonic acid  H 2CO3  NaHCO3 , KHCO3 , Ca  HCO3 2 , Mg  HCO3 2

3 Sulphurous acid  H 2SO3  NaHSO3 , KHSO3 , Ca  HSO3 2 , Mg  HSO3 2

4 Phosphoric acid  H3PO4  NaH2 PO4 , Na 2 HPO4 , KH2 PO4 , K 2 HPO4 , Ca  H2 PO4 2 ,CaHPO4

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(3) Basic Salt

The salt which are formed by partial replacement of hydroxyl  OH  groups of a polyacidic base by
an acid radial are called basic salts

(4) Double salt

The salt which are obtained by the crystallization of two simple salts, from a mixture of their
saturated salt solutions are known as double salts.
For Example
(A) Potash alum

(B) Mohr’s Salt - FeSO4  NH4 2 SO4 .6H2O

(C) Dolomite - CaCO3 .MgCO3
(D) Carnallite - KCl.MgCl2 .6H2O
(E) Ferric alum - Fe2 SO4 3 .24H2O
(5) Mixed Salt –
The salts containing more than one cations or anions other than H  or OH  ions are called mixed
salt.
For example
Sodium Potassium Carbonate - NaKCO3 (contains two cations)
Bleaching powder - CaOCl2 (contains two anions Cl and OCl )
or

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Disodium potassium phosphate -  Na 2 KPO4 

Microcosmic salt - NaNH4 HPO4
General methods of preparation of soluble salts –
(I) By direct combination of elements – By heating two elements together

(II) By the action of dilute mineral acids on active metals

(III) By Decomposition
(a) By Decomposition of metal hydrogen carbonates

(b) By Decomposition of metal carbonates

(c) By decomposition of metal chloride

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(IV) By the process of neutralization -

(V) By the action of alkalis on metals

General method of preparation of insoluble salts

(VI) By direct combination of elements
When metal powder is heated with sulphur, we get corresponding metal sulphides which are
insoluble salts.

(2) By double decomposition of two soluble salt

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FAMILY OF SALT
The salts having the same positive radical (or cation) or negative radical (or anion) are said to belong to the
same family. For example,
 NaCl (sodium chloride) and Na2SO4 (sodium sulphate) belong to the family of sodium salts because
both contain the same radical (or cation), that is Na+. These may be called sodium salts.
 Copper sulphate (CuSO4) and sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) belong to the family of sulphates because
both contain the same acid radical (or anion), that is sulphate (SO4).
The salts belong to certain families are listed belong :
Sulphate Family Sodium Family Chloride Family
Potassium sulphate  K 2SO4  Sodium sulphate  NaSO4  Sodium chloride (NaCl)

Sodium sulphate  Na 2SO4  Sodium bromide  NaBr  Ammonium chloride  NH 4Cl 

Magnesium sulphate  MgSO4  Sodium nitrate  NaNO3  Calcium chloride  CaCl2 
Calcium sulphate  CaSO4  Sodium carbonate  Na 2CO3  Potassium chloride  KCl 
Copper sulphate  CuSO4 

pH OF SALT:
Activity:
 Collect the following salt samples - sodium chloride, potassium nitrate, aluminium chloride, zinc
sulphate, copper sulphate, sodium acetate, sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate.
 Check their solubility in water.
 Check the action of these solutions on litmus and find the pH using a pH paper.
 Which of the salts are acidic, basic or neutral?
 Identify the acid or base used to form the salt.
Salt
S. Salt Solubility Action on pH Nature Acid Base
No. litmus
1 Sodium Chloride soluble No action 7 Neutral HCl NaOH
2 Potassium Nitrate soluble No action 7 Neutral HCl KOH
3 Aluminium Chloride soluble Turns red Less than7 Acidic HCl Al  OH 3
4 Zinc Sulphate soluble Turns red Less than7 Acidic H 2SO4 Zn  OH 4
5 Copper sulphate soluble Turns red Less than7 Acidic H 2SO4 Cu  OH 4
6 Sodium acetate soluble Turns blue More than7 Basic CH3COOH NaOH
7 Sodium Carbonate soluble Turns blue More than7 Basic H 2CO3 NaOH
8 Sodium soluble Turns blue More than7 Basic H 2CO3 NaOH
Hydrogencarbonate
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SODIUM CHLORIDE (COMMON SALT/ TABLE SALT)

We know that hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide combine with each other to form sodium chloride
(NaCI) which in common language is also known as common salt. This is the salt which you sprinkle on
your salads and use in your kitchens. Common salt is an ionic compound of sodium and chlorine
 Na+Cl   .
n

The main source of common salt (sodium chloride) is the sea water. Sea water contains about 3.5% of
soluble salts, the most common of which is sodium chloride (2.7 to 2.9%). Saline water of inland lakes, such
as Sambhar lake in Rajasthan is also a good source of common salt (sodium chloride) is also found as rock
salt. Beds of rock salt were formed when lakes/Seas dried up in past.
CHEMICALS FROM COMMON SALT
Common salt is a raw material for chemicals and play an important role for making various materials of
daily use. Such as sodium hydroxide, baking soda, washing soda, bleaching powder and many more.
(i) Sodium hydroxide: Commercially, sodium hydroxide is also called caustic soda because of its
corrosive action on animal and vegetable tissues.
Chlor-alkali process for obtaining sodium hydroxide - When we pass electricity through a solution of
sodium chloride, commonly called brine. It decomposes to form sodium hydroxide according to the
following equation.
2NaCl  aq   2H2O  l  
Electric
Current
 2NaO  aq   Cl2  g   H2  g 
On electrolysis, chlorine gas is formed at anode and hydrogen at cathode sodium hydroxide solution is
formed near the cathode. All these products are commercially important. The process of production of
sodium hydroxide from sodium chloride is known as chlor-alkali process because of products formed - chlor
for chlorine and alkali for sodium hydroxide.

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(ii) Bleaching powder :

We know that chlorine is produced during the electrolysis of aqueous sodium choride (brine). This
chlorine gas is used for the manufacture of bleaching powder. Bleaching powder is produced by the action
of chlorine on dry slaked lime [Ca(OH)2] Bleaching powder is represented as CaOCl2, though the actual
composition is quite complex.
Ca  OH 2  Cl2 
 CaOCl2  H 2O
Slaked lime Bleaching powder

Q. What is the common name of the compound CaOCl2? [NCERT]

Q. Name of the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder. [NCERT]

Uses of bleaching powder

(a) For bleaching cotton and linen in the textile industry, for bleaching wood pulp in paper factories and
for bleaching washed clothes in laundry.
(b) As an oxidising agent in many chemical industries, and
(c) For disinfecting drinking water to make it free of germs.
(iii) Baking soda
The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogencarbonate or sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda (or
sodium bicarbonate) is represented by the formula NaHCO3. The soda commonly used in the kitchen for
making tasty crispy pakoras is baking soda. Sometime it is added for faster cooking. It is produced using
sodium chloride as one of the raw materials.

It can be used to neutralise an acid because it is mild non-corrosive base due to the hydrolysis of HCO3
ion.
The following reaction takes place when it is heated during cooking.
2NaHCO3  s  
Heat
 Na 2  s   H2O  g   CO2  l 

Q. What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated? Give the equation of the
reaction involved. [NCERT]

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Uses of sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3)

(a) For making baking powder which is a mixture of baking soda (sodium hydrogencarbonate) and a
mild edible acid like tartaric acid. When baking powder is mixed with water, the following reaction
takes place.

Carbon dioxide so produced during the reaction is responsible for making the bread and cake to rise
making them soft and spongy.
(b) As an ingredient in antacids. Being alkaline, it neutralises excess acid in the stomach and provides
relief.
(c) It is used in soda-acid fire extinguisher.
(iv) Washing soda (Sodium carbonate)
The chemical formula of washing sode is Na 2CO3 .10H2O, (sodium carbonate decahydrate). Anhydrous
sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) is generally called soda ash. Washing soda is manufactured by Solvay
process. This process is also known as Ammonia soda process. The raw material needed for the process
are sodium chloride, lime stone  CaCO3  and ammonia  NH3  . The reactions involved are.

Q. Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water. [NCERT]
Q. Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda. [NCERT]

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Uses of washing soda:-

(a) Washing soda (or sodium carbonate) is used for washing clothes (laundry purposes).
(b) Washing soda is used for softening hard water.
(c) Sodium carbonate (soda ash) is used for the manufacture of detergents.
(d) Sodium carbonate is used for the manufacture of many important compounds, such as borax,
 Na 2 B4O7  , Hypo  Na 2S2O3.5H2O  , etc.
(e) Sodium carbonate is also used in paper and paint industries.

ARE THE CRYSTALS OF SALTS REALLY DRY?

Crystals of some salts contain certain amount of associated water. The water associated the crystal
(or molecule) of any salt is called water of crystallisation.
The salt containing water of crystallisation are called hydrated salts.
Activity: To show that water of crystallisation can be removed by heating.
 Materials required: CuSO4  5H2O (Blue vitriol), boiling tube,
burner, cork, delivery tube, test tube, clamp stand.
 Procedure: Take 2 g of CuSO4  5H2O in a boiling tube fitted in a
clamp stand.
Observe its colour. Fit it with cork and delivery tube bent at two right
angles which dips into a test tube.
— Heat crystals in boiling tube.
— Observe vapours being condensed in test tube.
— Cool the crystals and add few drops of water into
 Observation: Water vapours get condensed in a tell tube and colour of blue crystals changes into
white. On adding water to anhydrous copper sulphate it changes into blue again.
CuSO4 .5H2O 
Heat
 CuSO4  5H2O

Blue vitriol White

 Conclusion: Crystalline substances have water of crystallization which is lost on heating.

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 Water of crystallization : It is fixed number of water molecules present in crystalline salt, e.g.

PLASTER OF PERIS  CaSO4 1/2H2O 

 Plaster of paris is hemihydrate (hemi means half and hydrate means water) of calcium sulphate. Its
molecular formula is CaSO4 .1/ 2 H2O or  CaSO4 2 .H2O

 In plaster of paris one molecule of water is shared by two CaSO4 as

CaSO4  H
|
CaSO4  H  O
Preparation of Plaster of Paris:
Plaster of paris is obtained by heating gypsum  CaSO4 .2H2O  at 373 K (or 100°C).

During the preparation of plaster of paris, temperature should be controlled carefully. Otherwise,
anhydrous calcium sulphate (CaSO4) will be formed. Anhydrous calcium sulphate does not set into hard
mass when mixed with water. So, if temperature is not controlled carefully, the plaster of paris obtained
will have poor setting property.

Q. Write an equation to show the reaction between plaster of paris and water. [NCERT]
Q. Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture -proof container. Explain why? [NCERT]

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Properties of Plaster of Paris:

 Plaster of paris is a white, odourless powder.
 At ordinary room temperature, plaster of paris absorbs water and a large amount of heat is liberated.
 When mixed with a limited amount of water (50% by mass), if forms a plastic mass, evolves heat
and quickly sets to a hard porous mass with in minutes. This is called the setting process.
During setting, a slight expansion in volume occurs. It is due to this that it fills the mould
completely and gives sharp impression. The reaction during process is
CaSO4 .0.5H2O(s) + 1.5 H2O(  )  CaSO4 . 2H2O(s)
Plaster of paris Water Gypsum (Hard mass)

Uses of Plaster of Paris :

 Plaster of paris is used in making casts and patterns for moulds and statue.
 Plaster of paris is used as cement in ornamental casting and for making decorative materials.
 Plaster of paris is used as a fire proofing material and for making chalks.
 Plaster of pairs is used in hospitals for immobilising the affected part in case of bone fracture of
strain.
 Plaster of paris (POP) is used to fill small gaps on walls & roofs.

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EXERCISE

(A) OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS:

1. A solution turns red litmus blue, its pH is likely to be
(a) l (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 10
2. A solution reacts with crushed egg-shells to give a gas that turns lime-water milky. The solution
contains
(a) NaCl (b) HC1 (c) LiCl (d) 10 mL
3. 10 ml of a solution of NaOH is found to be completely neutralised by 8mL of a given solution of
HCl. If we take 20 mL of the same solution of NaOH, the amount HCl solution (the same solution
as before required to neutralise it will be.
(a) 4 mL (b) 8 mL (c) 12 mL (d) 16 mL
4. Which one of the following types of medicines is used for treatment indigestion
(a) Antibiotic (b) Analgesic (c) Antacid (d) Antiseptic
5. According to Arrhenius acid gives
(a) H  in water (b) OH  in water (c) Both (A) & (B) (d) OH  in acid medium
6. Milk of magnesia is an
(a) Acid (b) Antacid (c) Alkali (d) Rock salt
7. Noble metals are dissolved in
(a) Conc. HNO3 (b) Conc. HCl (c) Conc. H 2SO4 (d) Aqua-regia
8. Which of the following is not a strong acid?
(a) H 2SO4 (b) CH3COOH (c) HNO3 (d) HCl
9. Soda ash is
(a) Na 2CO3 .H2O (b) Na 2CO3 (c) NaOH (d) NaHCO2
10. Which of the following is an basic salt?
(a) SnCl2 (b) NaCl (c) NH 4Cl (d) CH3COONa
11. Which of the following method is not used in preparing a base?
(a) Burning of metal in air (b) Adding water to a metal oxide
(c) Reaction between an acid and base (d) Heating metal carbonates
12. Fats  NaOH 
.........  Glycerol. One of the products formed in this reaction is
(a) Soap (b) Cloth (c) Paper (d) Wood
13. Potash alum is a?
(a) Simple salt (b) Complex salt (c) Acid salt (d) Double salt
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(B) FILL IN THE BLANKS:

1. An indicator changes its _____________ with change of the nature of the solution.

2. The properties of.____________ are due to the hydrogen ions it produces in aqueous solution.

3. A water soluble base produces ___________ ions in solutions.

4. A farmer treats the soil of his field with lime when the soil has ___________ nature.

5. Electrolysis of an aqueous solution of _____________produces hydroxide in the solution.

6. Hydrated copper sulphate contains five molecules of ___________ of crystallization.

7. Phenolphthalein gives a _______________ colour when added to sodium hydroxide solution.

8. Blue litmus turns red when added to _____________ solution.

9. the pH of an acidic solution is ___________ than 7.


10. NaCl  H2SO4   __________ HCl.

11. 2P  5H2SO4  conc. 


 ________________ 2H2O  5SO2 .

12. 
 ________________.
3Fe  4H2O 


(C) VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:

1. Name the acids present in (i) vinegar (ii) lemon (iii) orange

2. Which is a stronger acid and why: HCI or CH3COOH.

3. Which type of acid forms only the normal salts?

4. Name the gas which is liberated at cathode during the electrolysis of mineral acid.

5. Write the main use of boric acid.

6. How alkalis differ from bases? Explain

7. What will happen to the concentration of [H+] ions in a solution if NaOH is added to water?

8. Why does copper not react with dil. H2SO4 or dil. HCl?

9. Name the metals which are soluble only in aqua regia.

10. When concentrated acid is diluted, does the pH get higher or lower?

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(D) MATCH THE FOLLOWING

Column-A Column-B
Compound Chemical Name

(i) Bleaching powder (a) Sodium bicarbonate

(ii) Baking soda (b) Sodium carbonate

(iii) Washing soda (c) Calcium oxychloride

(iv) Plaster of Paris (d) Calcium sulphate hemihydrate

(E) SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. How is plaster of paris obtained? What reaction is involved in the setting of a paste of plaster of
paris?
2. What happens when crystals of washing soda are left open in dry air? What is this named as?
3. How can you prepare acid-base indicator at home?
4. Write down the molecular formula for: Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, Phosphoric acid, Carbonic acid.
5. Name the gas evolved when dilute sulphuric acid acts as sodium carbonate. Write the chemical
equation for the reaction involved.
6. What does pH stand for? What does a pH scale indicate?
7. Differentiate between:
(i) Strong acid and concentrated acid
(ii) Weak base and dilute base
8. 'Sweet tooth' may lead to tooth decay. Explain why? What is the role of toothpaste in preventing
cavities?
9. A blue salt becomes white on heating. With the help of a reaction explain the change in colour.
10. Why do we not categorise metal oxides as salts while we categorise metal sulphide as salts?
11. What happen when electric current is passed through brine? Give reaction.
12. Select the formulae of acids, bases and salts from the following list :

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NaCl, NaOH, H3PO4 , Na 2CO3 , Ca  OH 2 , CuSO4  5H 2O, H 2SO4 , H 2CO3 , HCl, NaHCO3 ,
Na 2CO3 10H2O, Al  OH 3 , KCl

(F) LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS:

1. Dry HCl gas does not affect a dry blue litmus paper, whereas it changes a moist blue litmus paper to
red. Explain.
2. What is the pH scale? How can you know, if the given sample is acidic, basic or neutral from its pH
value.
3. How can you classify salts on the basis of their solubility in water? Give examples.
4. What is plaster of paris? How is it prepared? Give the chemical equation.
5. Comment on the statement: Are the crystals of salts really dry?
6. Discus chlor-alkali process for manufacturing sodium hydroxide

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ANSWER KEY

Objective type Question

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
D B D C A B D B B D
11 12 13 14
B A D B

Fill in the blanks

1. Colour 2. an acid
3. Hydroxide  OH   4. Acidic

5. Sodium chloride 6. Water

7. Pink 8. an acidic
9. Endothermic 10. Exothermic
11. Combustion

Very Short Answer

1. (i) Acetic acid, (ii) Citric acid (iii) Citric acid
2. HCl, because it ionises completely in dilute aqueous solution
3. Monobasic acids
4. Hydrogen
5. For eye washing and as an antiseptic
6. All alkalis are water soluble while all bases are not water soluble
7. OH   concentration will increase

8. Copper not a active metal

9. Pt and Au
10. Higher

Match the following

i    c  ; ii    a  ; iii    b  ; iv    d 

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