Acids and Bases
Acids
• Properties– a substance that produce hydrogen ions (H+) in
solution– conduct electricity well– can taste sour– corrosive (“eat away” metals)– dehydrating agents (remove water from
materials)
• Common acids– sulfuric acid: most widely used chemical in the
world, car batteries, production of fertilizers– phosphoric acid: make fertilizers and detergents– nitric acid: fertilizers and explosives– hydrochloric acid: stomach acid and to pickle
(clean) metals– acetic acid: vinegar
Bases (also called alkaline)
• Properties– a substance that produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in
solution– feel slippery– may taste bitter– conduct electricity well
• Common bases– ammonium hydroxide: most common,
household cleaning agent, and in fertilizers– magnesium hydroxide: laxative, antacid– sodium hydroxide: drain and oven cleaner– Calcium carbonate: antacid (Tums, Rolaids)
Measuring Acid/Base Strength
• indicators are chemicals that change color in an acid or base
• pH scale
Neutralization
• the chemical reaction between an acid and a base that produces “a salt” and water
• acid + alkali → metal salt + water – HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
• acid + metal → metal salt + hydrogen – 2 HCl + Mg → MgCl2 + H2
• acid + metal oxide → metal salt + water – 2 HCO2H + MgO → Mg(HCO2)2 + H2O