Chapter 9 Acids And Alkalis

9.1 Common Acids And Alkalis

A. Acids

1. Acids found at home and in the

laboratory
Many foods, drinks and seasonings (Taste sour)
(Contain acids)

Food Acid
Soft drinks Carbonic acid
Vinegar Ethanoic acid
Yoghurt Lactic acid
Tea Tannic acid
Spinach Oxalic acid
Grape Acid
Apples Acid
Grapefruit Acid
Lemon Acid
Orange Acid

Personal care Acid

products
Body Lotion Acid
Hair Conditioners Acid
Toilet Cleaners Acid
Aspirin Acid
(Many different kinds of acids in the school
laboratories)
1. Hydrochloric acid
2. Sulphuric acid
3. Nitric acid

2. Properties of acids
Acids share same properties
1. Acids
(Sour taste)
(Never taste any acid used in the laboratory)
2. Acidic solutions
(Can conduct electricity)
3. Acids
(Reacts with alkalis)
4. Acids
(Reacts to many materials including metals)

Summary
Acids have sour taste. Acidic solutions

can conduct electricity.

Common uses of acids

1. As preservatives
Fresh food
(Go bad in few days)
(Action of microorganisms)
(Most microorganisms cannot grow or reproduce in
acidic conditions)
(Acids may kill microorganisms)
(Food can be preserved by soaking them in the
acids)
E.g.
Vinegar (Ethanoic acid)
(Preserve food)
(Cucumbers, scallion)
2. Removing stains
(Acids can be used as cleaning agent)
(Hydrochloric acid)
(Commonly found)
(Toilet cleaners)
(Remove stains in toilet bowls)
3. Making industrial chemicals
(Make industrial chemicals)
E.g.
 (Making fertilizers, dyes and paints)
Extra
(Sulphuric acids)
(Make fertilizers)

Summary

Acids can be used as preservatives to

prevent food from going bad. Some

household cleaners contain acids to help

remove stains. Acids are also commonly

used in making industrial chemicals.

B. Alkalis

1. Alkalis found at home and in the

laboratories
Alkalis (Commonly found at home)
 Household Alkalis
products
Toothpaste Alkalis
Glass cleaner Alkalis
Kitchen cleaner Alkalis
Soap Alkalis
Drain cleaner Alkalis
Baking soda Alkalis
Alkaline batteries Alkalis
Many different kinds of alkalis in the school
laboratories
1. Sodium hydroxide
2. Ammonia solution
3. Calcium hydroxide (Limewater)

2. Properties of alkalis
Acids share same properties
1. Alkalis
(Bitter taste)
(Never taste any acid used in the laboratory)
2. Alkalis
(Slippery feel)
3. Alkaline solutions
(Conduct electricity)
4. Alkalis
(Reacts with acids)

Summary
Alkalis have a bitter taste and a slippery

feel. Alkaline solutions can conduct

electricity.

Common uses of alkalis

1. Removing grease
(Cleaning agents)
(Ammonia)
(Commonly found)
(Kitchen cleaners and glass cleaners)
(Remove grease)
(From stoves and windows)
(Sodium hydroxide)
(Commonly found)
(Drain cleaners)
(Dissolved in water)
(Large amount of heat is produced)
(Hot alkaline solution)
(Remove substances)
(Like grease or hair)
(Block the drain)

2. Making industrial chemicals

(Alkalis)
 (Many industrial uses)
E.g.
(Potassium hydroxide)
(Used to make batteries)
Extra
(Kitchen cleaners)
(Contain ammonia)
(Can remove grease from stoves)
(Potassium hydroxide)
(Used in making alkaline batteries)

Summary

Some household cleaners contain alkalis

to help remove grease. Alkalis also have

many industrial uses. For example, they

can be used in making batteries.

C. Handling acids and alkalis safely in

the laboratory

1. How do we handle acids and alkalis

safely?
(Many acids, alkalis in the school laboratory)
(Corrosive)
(Burn skin and eyes)
(Take safely precautions)
(Handling them)

Safely precautions (We should do)

1. Read the hazard warning labels on the reagent
bottles.
2a. Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
2b. Wear protective gloves, as needed, to avoid
direct contact with acids and alkalis.
3. Pour the acidic or alkaline wastes into appropriate
waste bottles .
4. Wash your hands thoroughly after the
experiments.

Safely precautions (We shouldn’t do)

1. Never taste the acids or alkalis used in the
laboratory.
2. Do not mix acids or alkalis with other chemicals
without your teacher’s permission.
2. If accidents involving acids or alkalis

happen, what should we do?

(Accident involving acids or alkalis)
(Keep calm)
(Report to teacher immediately)

Take the following measures

1. Wash the affected area under slow running water
at least 10 mins.
2. Carefully remove any contaminated clothing and
avoid making contact with the chemical.
3. If you get the acid or alkali into your eye, wash it
with the eye wash bottle immediately for at least
10 minutes.
4. For more serious injuries, call an ambulance. Keep
washing the affected area until the ambulance
arrives. Take a sample of the acid or alkali to the
hospital for reference.

Summary
Many acids and alkalis used in the school

laboratory can burn our skin and eyes.

We must take safety precautions in

handling them.

9.2 Acid-alkali indicators and pH

scale
A. Acid-alkali indicators
1. Natural indicators
(Indicators)
(Show the presence of acids and alkalis)
(Many acid-alkali indicators)
(Can be extracted from plants in Nature)
(Red cabbage extracted used)
(An example of natural indicators)
(Red cabbage extract can be used as a natural
indicator)
(Red cabbage contains pigments which change colors
in the presence of an acid or an alkali)
(Red cabbage extract appears red or pink in acidic
solutions and green in alkaline solutions)
(Addition of red cabbages)
(Some plant extracts can be used as natural
indicators)

Plant Original Color of Color of

color of the the
extract extract extract
in an in an
acidic alkaline
solution solution
Red rose Light pink Light red Gold
flower
Blueberry Dark red Light red Green
Strawberry Dark pink Orange Brown
Beetroot Dark red Purple Yellow
Summary

Some plants contain pigments which

change color when mixed with acids or

alkalis. Extracts from these plants can be

used as natural indicators to distinguish

acids and alkalis.

2. Litmus
(Litmus)
(Commonly used indicators in the laboratory)
(A mixture of pigments extracted from lichen)
(Can be found on tree trunks)
(Shows different colors in acidic and alkaline
conditions)
(Can be used to distinguish between acidic and
alkaline solutions)
(Litmus available in solution and paper forms)
(Litmus solution or litmus paper)
(Comes in two colors)
(Red and blue)
(Litmus paper is prepared by soaking strips of filter
paper in litmus solution)
(Dry them before use)

Blue litmus is used for Red litmus is used for

testing acidic solutions. testing alkaline solutions.
Acidic solutions turn blue Alkaline solutions turn red
litmus red. litmus blue.
(Litmus paper)
(Classify some solutions as acidic, alkaline or neutral)

Summary

We can use the litmus solution or the

litmus paper to distinguish acids and

alkalis.

The blue litmus turns red litmus in acidic

solutions while red litmus turns blue

litmus in alkaline solutions.

B. Universal indicator and pH scale
(The natural indicators and litmus)
(Only help distinguish whether a substance is acidic or
alkaline)
(Cannot show how acidic or alkaline a substance is)
(Universal indicator)
(Mixture of several indicators)
(A range of different colors depending on the degrees
of acidity or alkalinity of the substance mixed)
E.g.
(Find out whether kiwifruit or orange is more acidic)
(Universal indicator)
(Available in solution and papers form)
(Paper for of universal indicator)
(Called pH paper)
(Color chart on the bottle of universal indicator
solution or the box of pH paper)
(Color on the chart corresponds to a pH value)
(pH value is expressed as a number from 0 to 14)
(This range of pH values (0-14) known as the pH
value)

On the pH scale
1. An acidic substance has a pH value less than 7.
The lower the pH value, the more acidic the
substance.
2. An alkaline substance has a pH value greater than
7. The higher the pH value, the more alkaline the
substance.
3. Substances which are neither acidic nor alkaline
are neutral. They have a pH value of exactly 7.

pH value
0. (More acidic) (High acidity)
1. Sulphuric acid
2. Cola
3. Orange juice
4. Nothing
5. Black coffee
6. (Less acidic) (Low acidity)
7. (Neutral) Distilled Water
8. Nothing
9. (Less alkaline) (Low alkalinity)
10.Nothing
11.Glass cleaner
12.Limewater
13.Nothing
14.(More alkaline) (High alkalinity) Drain cleaner

Extra
(Who invented pH scale?)
Soren Sorensen (1868-1939), a Danish chemist,
invented the pH scale in 1909. He realized that all
acids contain hydrogen. Then, he introduced the
concept ‘pH’. ‘pH’ is the short form of Latin words
‘pondus hydrogenii’, meaning ‘power of hydrogen’.

Summary

We can use the universal indicator

solution or pH paper to find the pH value

of a substance.

The lower the pH value, the more acidity

the substance.

The higher the pH value, the more

alkalinity the substance.

A neutral substance has a pH value of 7.

C. pH meter
(Universal indicator)
(Give only a rough measurement of the pH value of a
substance)
(To measure more accurately)
(Use an electronic instrument (pH meter))
(pH meter consists of a probe connected to a digital
display)
(Reading measured by a pH meter)
(Accurate to a two decimal place)
(Use a pH meter)
(Put its probe into a solution)
(The pH value of the solution will be displayed on the
screen)
(Besides pH meter)
(Use pH sensor)
(Connected with a data logger)
(Recorded and analyzed in a computer)
(The data-logger system)
(Help monitor the change in pH value of a solution
during an experiment)

Advantages of Disadvantages of
using a pH meter using a pH meter
in measuring the in measuring the
pH value of a pH value of a
substance substance
A pH meter can measure A pH meter is more
the pH value of a expensive than universal
substance more indicator solution and pH
accurately than universal paper.
indicator solution and pH
paper.
A pH meter can be The size of a pH meter is
reused while pH paper larger than that of pH
cannot. paper. It is less
convenient to carry
around.
A pH meter can be used The pH meter has to be
to measure the pH value calibrated before use and
of a liquid with a dark its probe needs to be
color. cleaned after use.

Summary

A pH meter can measure the pH value of

a substance more accurately than

universal indicator.

9.3 Neutralization
A. Mixing acids and alkalis

1. What is neutralization?
(A mild alkali)
(Present in many shampoos)
(Remove grease, causes the hair become tangled)
(Some hair conditioners)
(Contain a mild acid)
(Neutralize mild acid)
(Neutralize the mild alkali in the shampoos)
(Easier to comb)
(Acids and alkalis react with each other when they are
mixed together)
(Chemical reaction is called neutralization)
(Neutralization)
(Change the acidity or alkalinity of a solution)
(pH value of the solution also changes)
(pH value changes during neutralization)

2. Products formed during neutralization

(The substances take part in a chemical reaction are
called reactants)
(Substances formed (Chemical reaction is called
products))
(Neutralization acid and alkali (reactants))

Summary

When an acid and an alkali neutralize

each other, a salt and water are

produced, and heat is released.

Chemical names of salt formed by

neutralization
E.g.1.
Hydrochloric acid + Sodium hydroxide
After neutralization
Sodium chloride (A salt) (Table salt)
Eg.2.
Nitric acid + Potassium hydroxide
After neutralization
Potassium nitrate (A salt) (Make fertilizers)
E.g.3.
Sulphuric acid + Calcium hydroxide
After neutralization
Calcium sulphate (A salt) (Make tofu)

Word equations
Acid + Alkali (Reactants)
Turns to
Salt + Water (Products)
E.g.1.
Hydrochloric acid (Acid) + Sodium hydroxide (Alkali)
Turns to
Sodium chloride (Salt) + Water
E.g.2.
Nitric acid (Acid) + Potassium hydroxide (Alkali)
Turns to
Potassium nitrate (Salt) + Water
E.g.3.
Sulphuric acid (Acid) + Calcium hydroxide (Alkali)
Turns to
Calcium sulphate (Salt) + Water

Summary

Neutralization can be represented by the

following word equation

Acid + Alkali

Turns to

Salt + Water

Summary
Mass is conserved in neutralization.

B. Applications of neutralizations

1. Prevention of tooth decay

(A lot of bacteria)
(In mouths)
(Convert sugar left in the food residue into acids)
(These acids attack the teeth)
(Cause tooth decay)
(Toothpaste slightly alkaline)
(Brushing teeth with toothpaste)
(Neutralize acids in the mouths)
(Chewing sugar-free gum)
(After a meal)
(Help prevent tooth decay)
(Chewing sugar-free gum)
(Help simulate the production of saliva in the mouth)
(Saliva slightly alkaline can neutralize the acids in the
mouth)

2. Relieving stomach upset

(Our stomachs produce hydrochloric acid)
(Digest food)
(Sometimes our stomachs may produce too much
acid)
(Causes burning sensations inside the stomachs)
(Antacids can be used to relieve stomach upset)
(Many antacids contain alkalis)
(Neutralize excess acid in stomachs)

3. Treatment of insects stings and bites

(Stings or bites of some insects may contain acidic or
alkaline substances)
(Cause the affected area to be itchy or painful)
(Apply acidic or alkaline substances to the affected
area)
(Treat insect stings or bites)
(The stings of bees, ants and mosquitoes contain
acids. The acids can be neutralized by alkalis (E.g.
Soap))
(The sting of a wasp contains alkalis. It can be
neutralized by acids (E.g. Vinegar))

4. Treatment of industrial waste

containing acids or alkalis

(Industrial waste produced by factories of
electroplating, dyeing, electronic and chemical
products often contain acids or alkalis)
(These acidic or alkaline wastes may cause serious
water pollution)
(They are discharged without proper treatment)
(Reduce pollution)
(Alkalis (E.g. Calcium hydroxide) used to neutralize
acidic wastes)
(Acids (E.g. Sulphuric acid) used to neutralize alkaline
wastes before they are discharged)

5. Regulations of pH value of soil

(Many plants do not grow well in soil)
(Too acidic or too alkaline)
(Soil is too acidic)
(Farmers will add slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide) to
the soil before growing crops)
(Slaked lime is an alkali)
(Neutralize acid in the soil)
(On the other hand)
(Soil is too alkaline)
(Farmers may add sulphur to the soil)
(Natural soil bacteria can convert sulphur in the soil to
sulphuric acid)
(Neutralize alkali in the soil)

9.4 Corrosive nature of acids

A. Reactions between acids and metals
(Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with some metals (E.g.
Magnesium))
(During the reaction (A salt and hydrogen are
produced)
(Hydrogen (Colorless gas))
(Use a burning splint test for hydrogen)
(Burning splint is placed over a test tube containing
hydrogen)
(The hydrogen burns with a ‘pop’ sound)
(The metal reacts with the acid)
(Size decreases slightly)
(Acid corrodes the metal)
(We should not store acidic drinks in metal containers)
(Metal containers will be corroded by the acid)

Summary

Acids react with some metals. A salt and

hydrogen are produced during the

reaction.

Word equations
Acid + Metal (Reactant)
Turns to
Salt + Hydrogen (Products)
E.g.1.
Hydrochloric acid (Acid) + Magnesium (Metal)
Turns to
Magnesium chloride (Salt) + Hydrogen
E.g.2.
Hydrochloric acid (Acid) + Aluminum (Metal)
Turns to
Aluminum chloride (Salt) + Hydrogen
E.g.3.
Sulphuric acid (Acid) + Magnesium (Metal)
Turns to
Magnesium sulphate (Salt) + Hydrogen
E.g.4. Sulphuric acid (Acid) + Aluminum (Metal)
Turns to
Aluminum sulphate (Salt) + Hydrogen
Summary
The reaction between an acid and a metal can be
represented by the following equation
Acid + Metal
Turns to
Salt + Hydrogen
B. Reactions between acids and building

materials
(Besides reacting with metals)
(Acids also react with calcium carbonate)
(Many building materials such as marble and
limestone contain calcium carbonate)
E.g.1.
The Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre in Hong Kong is
made mainly of marble
E.g.2.
The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is made mainly of
limestone