What is Acid and Base?

Definition; An acid is a chemical substance, which ionizes in water to produce hydrogen ions, H+

A base is a chemical substance that can neutralize an acid to produce a salt and water, or

A base is a chemical substance, which ionizes in water to produce hydroxide ions, OH-

ACIDS

We can classify an acid as a monoprotic acid or a diprotic acid based on basicity.

Basicity of an acid is the number of mole of H+ ion that can be produced by one mole of acid when it dissolves in water.

Monoprotic acid Hydrochloric acid, HCl Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH

Ionisation HCl H+ + ClCH3COOH H+ + CH3COO-

Diprotic acid Sulphuric acid, H2SO4

Ionisation H2SO4 2H+ + SO42-

Chemicals Properties of Acid a. Acids react with bases/metal oxide to form salts and water. Examples; i. H2SO4 + ZnO ZnSO4 + H2O

ii. 2HCl + CuO CuCl2 + H2O

b. Acids react with alkalis to form salts and water. Examples; i. HCl + NaOH NaCl + H2O

ii. H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 CaSO4 + 2H2O

c. Acids react with reactive metal to produce salts and hydrogen gas. Examples; i. 2HCl + Mg MgCl2 + H2

ii. H2SO4 + Zn ZnSO4 + H2

Reactive metals: Mg, Al, Zn (use this metals only)

d. Acids react with carbonate compound to produce salts, water and carbon dioxide. Examples; i. 2HCl + PbCO3 PbCl2 + CO2 + H2O

ii. H2SO4 + CuCO3 CuSO4 + CO2 + H2O

BASES Most bases are not soluble in water. Bases that are soluble in water are known as alkalis.

Na2O + H2O 2NaOH Base alkali

CaO + H2O Ca(OH)2 Base alkali

In water, an alkali dissociates to produce hydroxide ions, OH- and cations.

Bases that are insoluble in water Zinc oxide, ZnO

Bases that are soluble in water Sodium oxide, Na2O

Zinc hydroxide, Zn(OH)2 Copper(II) oxide, CuO Copper(II) hydroxide, Cu(OH)2

Sodium hydroxide, NaOH Potassium oxide, K2O Potassium hydroxide, KOH Calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2

Chemicals Properties of Alkalis a. Alkalis react with acids to form salts and water. Examples; i. NaOH + HCl NaCl + H2O

ii. Ca(OH)2 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + 2H2O

b. When a mixture of an alkali and an ammonium salt is heated, ammonia gas is, NH3 is liberated. Examples; i. NaOH + NH4Cl NaCl + H2O + NH3

ii. Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4Cl CaCl2 + 2H2O + 2NH3