Acids and Bases

Overall Objectives:

What are Acids and Bases?

  1. Describe the meanings of the terms acid and alkali in terms of the ions they produce in aqueous solution and their effects on Universal Indicator.
  2. Describe qualitatively the difference between strong and weak acids in terms of the extent of ionisation
  3. Describe how to test hydrogen ion concentration and hence relative acidity using Universal Indicator and the pH scale.

What are the Properties of Acids and Bases?

  1. Describe the characteristic properties of acids as in reactions with metals, bases and carbonates.
  2. Describe the characteristic properties of bases in reactions with acids and with ammonium salts.
  3. Describe the reaction between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions to produce water, H+ + OH– → H2O, as neutralisation.
  4. Classify oxides as acidic, basic, amphoteric or neutral based on metallic/non-metallic character.

Acids and Bases in Daily Use

  1. State the uses of sulfuric acid in the manufacture of detergents and fertilisers; and as a battery acid.
  2. Describe the importance of controlling the pH in soils and how excess acidity can be treated using calcium hydroxide.

Link to Notes:

  1. What are acid and bases?
  2. What are the properties of acid and bases?
  3. Acid and bases in daily use