Chapter 7

Acids and Bases

4
Form

MENU
Introduction to Acids The pH Scale
Chemistry

and Bases

Role of water and the Role of water and the

properties of acids properties of alkalis

Strong and Weak Acids Strong and Weak

Alkalis

Mind Map
 Meaning of Acid

An acid is a chemical substance which ionises in

Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

water to produce hydrogen ions, H+.

The acidic properties of an acid is due to the

presence of hydroxonium ions, H3O+. However,
this ion can be written as H+, hydrogen ion.

Hydroxonium ion

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 Basicity of Acid

Basicity of an acid is the maximum number of

Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

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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Chemistry Form 4: Introduction Basicity of Acid

Diprotic acid is an acid which produces two

hydrogen ions when one molecule of the acid
ionises in water.

For example : Sulphuric Acid, H2SO4

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 Meaning of Bases / Alkalis

A alkali is a chemical substance which ionises

Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

in water to produce hydroxide ions, OH- .

+ _

-
Na+ OH

Bases Bases are oxides/hydroxides of metals

which react with acids.
Alkalis are bases which are soluble in
Alkalis
water.

All alkalis are bases but not all bases are

alkalis.

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 Uses of Acids, Bases and Alkalis

Substance Uses
Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

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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 Uses of Acids, Bases and Alkalis

Substance Uses
Chemistry Form 4: Introduction

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.

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Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

PROPERTIES OF ACID
ROLE OF WATER ON THE

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 Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

• An acid only shows it acidic properties when

water is present.

Liquid glacial Aqueous Ethanoic acid in

ethanoic acid ethanoic acid dry propanone

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 Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

• 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
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

• 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
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of acids

Acid + base salt + water Acid + metal salt + hydrogen gas

Acid + metal carbonate salt + water + carbon dioxide gas

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Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

PROPERTIES OF ALKALI
ROLE OF WATER ON THE

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 Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

• 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
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

• 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
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

Alkali + acid salt + water Alkali + metal ion insoluble

metal hydroxide

Alkali + ammonium salt salt + water + ammonia gas

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 Role of Water
Chemistry Form 4: Role of water & the properties of alkalis

Alkali + acid salt + water Alkali + metal ion insoluble

metal hydroxide

Alkali + ammonium salt salt + water + ammonia gas

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 pH Scale

The pH scale is used to indicate the degree of

Chemistry Form 4: The pH Scale

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

• The pH value is a
Chemistry Form 4: The pH Scale

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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 Chemistry Form 4: The pH Scale

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pH value of substances
Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids Strong Acids

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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Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids Strong Acids

H+ + Cl- (100% ionisation )

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 Weak Acids

Weak acids are chemicals that dissociate partially

Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids

(incomplete dissociation) in water to produce low

concentration of hydrogen ions.

An example of weak acid is

dilute ethanoic acid,
CH3COOH.
Most of the ethanoic acid
exist as molecules, few as
CH3COO- and H+ ions.

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Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Acids Weak Acids

O
CH3 C -OH Partial dissociation

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 Strong Alkalis

A strong alkali is a chemical substance that

Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Alkalis

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

A weak alkali is a chemical substance that

Chemistry Form 4: Strong and Weak Alkalis

dissociates partially (incomplete dissociation) to

produce low concentration of hydroxide ions, OH- in
water.
For example: Aqueous Ammonia Solution, NH3

Low pH value

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 7.1 Characteristics and Properties of Acids and Bases
Mind Map 1

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 7.2 The Strength of Acids and Alkalis Mind Map 2

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 7.2 The Strength of Acids and Alkalis
Mind Map 3

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 Dissociation of Strong and Weak Alkalis
in Water

NH3(aq) NH3(aq)

NH3(aq)