ACIDS, BASES

AND SALTS
A guide for A level students

KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING

2008

SPECIFICATIONS

KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING

ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS

INTRODUCTION
This Powerpoint show is one of several produced to help students understand
selected topics at AS and A2 level Chemistry. It is based on the requirements of the
AQA and OCR specifications but is suitable for other examination boards.
Individual students may use the material at home for revision purposes or it may be
used for classroom teaching if an interactive white board is available.
Accompanying notes on this, and the full range of AS and A2 topics, are available
from the KNOCKHARDY SCIENCE WEBSITE at...

www.knockhardy.org.uk/sci.htm
Navigation is achieved by...
either

clicking on the grey arrows at the foot of each page

or

using the left and right arrow keys on the keyboard

ACIDS AND BASES

BRNSTED-LOWRY THEORY
ACID

proton donor

HCl > H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

BASE

proton acceptor

NH3 (aq) + H+(aq)

>

NH4+(aq)

ACIDS AND BASES

BRNSTED-LOWRY THEORY
ACID

proton donor

HCl > H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

BASE

proton acceptor

NH3 (aq) + H+(aq)

Conjugate systems
Acids are related to bases

ACID

Bases are related to acids

BASE

>

PROTON
+

PROTON

NH4+(aq)

CONJUGATE BASE
CONJUGATE ACID

ACIDS AND BASES

BRNSTED-LOWRY THEORY
ACID

proton donor

HCl > H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

BASE

proton acceptor

NH3 (aq) + H+(aq)

Conjugate systems
Acids are related to bases

ACID

Bases are related to acids

BASE

>

NH4+(aq)

PROTON
+

CONJUGATE BASE

PROTON

CONJUGATE ACID

For an acid to behave as an acid, it must have a base present to accept a proton...
HA
acid

example

CH3COO +
base

B
base

H2O
acid

BH+
+
A
conjugate conjugate
acid
base
CH3COOH
acid

OH
base

STRONG ACIDS AND BASES

STRONG
ACIDS
e.g.

completely dissociate (split up) into ions in aqueous solution

HCl > H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

MONOPROTIC

1 replaceable H

DIPROTIC

2 replaceable Hs

HNO3 > H+(aq) + NO3(aq)

H2SO4 > 2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)

STRONG ACIDS AND BASES

STRONG
ACIDS
e.g.

completely dissociate (split up) into ions in aqueous solution

HCl > H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

MONOPROTIC

1 replaceable H

DIPROTIC

2 replaceable Hs

HNO3 > H+(aq) + NO3(aq)

H2SO4 > 2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq)

STRONG
BASES
e.g.

completely dissociate into ions in aqueous solution

NaOH(aq)

> Na+(aq) + OH(aq)

WEAK ACIDS
Weak acids

partially dissociate into ions in aqueous solution

e.g. ethanoic acid

When a weak acid dissolves in
water an equilibrium is set up

CH3COOH(aq)
HA(aq) + H2O(l)

CH3COO(aq)

HA(aq)

H+(aq)

A(aq) + H3O+(aq)

The water stabilises the ions

To make calculations easier
the dissociation can be written...

A(aq) +

H+(aq)

WEAK ACIDS
Weak acids

partially dissociate into ions in aqueous solution

e.g. ethanoic acid

CH3COOH(aq)

When a weak acid dissolves in

water an equilibrium is set up

HA(aq) + H2O(l)

CH3COO(aq)

The weaker the acid

HA(aq)

H+(aq)

A(aq) + H3O+(aq)

The water stabilises the ions

To make calculations easier
the dissociation can be written...

A(aq) +

H+(aq)

the less it dissociates

the more the equilibrium lies to the left.

WEAK BASES
Partially react with water to give ions in aqueous solution

e.g. ammonia

When a weak base dissolves in water an equilibrium is set up

NH3 (aq)

+ H2O (l)

NH4+ (aq) + OH (aq)

as in the case of acids it is more simply written

NH3 (aq) +

H+ (aq)

NH4+ (aq)

WEAK BASES
Partially react with water to give ions in aqueous solution

e.g. ammonia

When a weak base dissolves in water an equilibrium is set up

NH3 (aq)

+ H2O (l)

NH4+ (aq) + OH (aq)

as in the case of acids it is more simply written

NH3 (aq) +

The weaker the base

H+ (aq)

NH4+ (aq)

the less it dissociates

the more the equilibrium lies to the left

The relative strengths of bases can be expressed as Kb or pKb values.

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Is a typical acid in dilute aqueous solution

Hydrogen chloride is a colourless

covalent gas; it is a poor conductor
of electricity because there are no
free electrons or ions present. It
has no action on dry litmus paper
because there are no aqueous
hydrogen ions present.

HCl

> H+ (aq)

+ Cl(aq)

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Is a typical acid in dilute aqueous solution

Hydrogen chloride is a colourless

covalent gas; it is a poor conductor
of electricity because there are no
free electrons or ions present. It
has no action on dry litmus paper
because there are no aqueous
hydrogen ions present.

HCl

> H+ (aq)

+ Cl(aq)

If the gas is passed into water, the hydrogen

chloride molecules dissociate into ions.
The solution now conducts electricity
showing ions are present. For each
hydrogen chloride molecule that
dissociates one hydrogen ion and one
chloride ion are produced. The solution
turns litmus paper red because of the H+(aq)
ions.

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Is a typical acid in dilute aqueous solution

Hydrogen chloride is a colourless

covalent gas; it is a poor conductor
of electricity because there are no
free electrons or ions present. It
has no action on dry litmus paper
because there are no aqueous
hydrogen ions present.

HCl

> H+ (aq)

+ Cl(aq)

If the gas is passed into water, the hydrogen

chloride molecules dissociate into ions.
The solution now conducts electricity
showing ions are present. For each
hydrogen chloride molecule that
dissociates one hydrogen ion and one
chloride ion are produced. The solution
turns litmus paper red because of the H+(aq)
ions.

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Is a typical acid in dilute aqueous solution

HYDROGEN CHLORIDE
colourless gas
covalent molecule
HCl(g)
poor
no reaction

HCl

> H+ (aq)

+ Cl(aq)

HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Appearance
Bonding
Formula
Conductivity
Dry blue litmus

colourless soln.
aqueous ions
HCl(aq)
good
goes red

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Is a typical acid in dilute aqueous solution

HCl

> H+ (aq)

+ Cl(aq)

Hydrogen chloride is a colourless

covalent gas; it is a poor conductor
of electricity because there are no
free electrons or ions present. It
has no action on dry litmus paper
because there are no aqueous
hydrogen ions present.

hydrogen chloride
hydrochloric acid

Appearance
colourless gas
colourless soln.

If the gas is passed into water, the hydrogen

chloride molecules dissociate into ions.
The solution now conducts electricity
showing ions are present. For each
hydrogen chloride molecule that
dissociates one hydrogen ion and one
chloride ion are produced. The solution
turns litmus paper red because of the H+(aq)
Bonding ions.
and formula
Conductivity
Dry litmus

covalent molecule HCl(g)

aqueous ions HCl(aq)

poor
good

no reaction
goes red

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Metals

magnesium + dil. hydrochloric acid > magnesium chloride + hydrogen

Mg(s)

1.

2HCl(aq)

>

MgCl2(aq)

WRITE OUT THE BALANCED EQUATION FOR THE REACTION

H2(g)

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Metals

magnesium + dil. hydrochloric acid > magnesium chloride + hydrogen

Mg(s)
Mg(s)

1.
2.

+
+

2HCl(aq)

2H+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)

>
>

MgCl2(aq)

H2(g)

Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl(aq) + H2(g)

WRITE OUT THE BALANCED EQUATION FOR THE REACTION

DILUTE ACIDS AND SALTS CONTAIN IONS; WATER, HYDROGEN & CARBON DIOXIDE DONT

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Metals

magnesium + dil. hydrochloric acid > magnesium chloride + hydrogen

Mg(s)
Mg(s)

+
+

>

2H+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)

cancel ions
1.
2.
3.

2HCl(aq)

Mg(s)

>

+ 2H+(aq)

MgCl2(aq)

H2(g)

Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl(aq) + H2(g)

>

Mg2+(aq) +

H2(g)

WRITE OUT THE BALANCED EQUATION FOR THE REACTION

DILUTE ACIDS AND SALTS CONTAIN IONS; WATER, HYDROGEN & CARBON DIOXIDE DONT
CANCEL OUT THE IONS WHICH APPEAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Metals

magnesium + dil. hydrochloric acid > magnesium chloride + hydrogen

Mg(s)
Mg(s)

+
+

>

2H+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)

cancel ions

Basic
Oxides

2HCl(aq)

Mg(s)

copper(II) oxide

>

+ 2H+(aq)

2HCl(aq)

Cu2+O2-(s)

+ 2H+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)

>

>

>

Mg2+(aq) +

CuCl2(aq)

>

H2(g)

copper(II) chloride + water

> Cu 2+ (aq) + 2Cl(aq)

O2- + 2H+(aq)

H2(g)

Mg2+(aq) + 2Cl(aq) + H2(g)

dil. hydrochloric acid

CuO(s)

cancel ions

MgCl2(aq)

H2O(l)

+
+

H2O(l)
H2O(l)

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Alkalis

sodium hydroxide + dil. hydrochloric acid

NaOH(aq)
Na+(aq) + OH(aq)
cancel ions

HCl(aq)

+ H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

> sodium chloride + water

>

NaCl(aq)

> Na+ (aq) + Cl(aq)

H+(aq) + OH(aq)

>

H2O(l)

H 2O(l)
+

H2O(l)

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Alkalis

sodium hydroxide + dil. hydrochloric acid

NaOH(aq)
Na+(aq) + OH(aq)
cancel ions

Carbonates

HCl(aq)

> sodium chloride + water

>

+ H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

NaCl(aq)

H 2O(l)

> Na+ (aq) + Cl(aq)

H+(aq) + OH(aq)

>

H2O(l)

H2O(l)

calcium carbonate + hydrochloric acid > calcium chloride + carbon dioxide + water

CaCO3(s)

2HCl(aq)

Ca2+CO32-(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)

cancel ions

>

CaCl2(aq)

CO2(g) + H2O(l)

> Ca2+(aq) + 2Cl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

CO32- + 2H+(aq)

>

CO2(g) + H2O(l)

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Alkalis

sodium hydroxide + dil. hydrochloric acid

NaOH(aq)
Na+(aq) + OH(aq)
cancel ions

Carbonates

HCl(aq)

> sodium chloride + water

>

+ H+(aq) + Cl(aq)

NaCl(aq)

H 2O(l)

> Na+ (aq) + Cl(aq)

H+(aq) + OH(aq)

>

H2O(l)

H2O(l)

calcium carbonate + hydrochloric acid > calcium chloride + carbon dioxide + water

CaCO3(s)

2HCl(aq)

Ca2+CO32-(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl(aq)

cancel ions

Hydrogen carbonates

>

CaCl2(aq)

CO2(g) + H2O(l)

> Ca2+(aq) + 2Cl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

CO32- + 2H+(aq)

>

H+(aq) + HCO3 >

CO2(g) + H2O(l)

CO2(g)

H2O(l)

REACTIONS OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID

SUMMARY
METALS

react to give

a salt + hydrogen

METAL OXIDES

react to give

a salt + water

METAL HYDROXIDES

react to give

a salt + water

CARBONATES

react to give

a salt + water + carbon dioxide

HYDROGENCARBONATES

react to give

a salt + water + carbon dioxide

AMMONIA

reacts to give

an ammonium salt

ACIDS, BASES
AND SALTS
THE
END

2009 JONATHAN HOPTON & KNOCKHARDY PUBLISHING