The taste of the food is due to presence of acids and bases in them.

Acids
 Acids is defined as the one which produces hydrogen ions in water. For Example,
Sulphuric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid etc.
 They give sour taste.

 Acids turn blue litmus to red. This is used as confirmation test for the presence of acid.

 When acids react with metals, gases are evolved.

Reactions with Acids

1. Reaction of Acid with Metal
Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas
Mg + H2 SO4 → H2 + Mg SO4
2. Reaction of Acid with Carbonates
Na2 CO3 (s) + 2 HCl (aq) → 2NaCl (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
3. Reaction of Acid with Bicarbonates
NaHCO3 (s) + HCl (aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O (l) + CO2 (g)
Similarity between Acids and Bases
 Both acids and base react with water. They produce ions in water

 Both acids and bases acts as electrolytes, so are good conductors of electricity.

 Both of them changes the colour of the litmus paper.

Classification of Acids
Acids are classified as Organic Acids and Mineral Acids. Acids which are derived from plants
and animals, they are known as Organic Acids. For Example, Citric Acid from fruit. Mineral
acids are inorganic acids such as Sulphuric Acid. They are dangerous to be used, so need more
precautions.
Acids are also classified as Strong Acids or Weak Acids. Strong acid is an acid, that completely
dissociates into ions in aqueous solutions. For Example, Sulphuric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid.

Weak acid is the one which does not dissociate completely into ions in aqueous solutions. For
Example, Acetic Acid.
Acids can also be as Dilute Acid and Concentrated Acids. The one which has low
concentration of acids in aqueous solution, they are known as Dilute Acids whereas the one
which has high concentration of acids in aqueous solution, are known as Concentrated Acids.
It is advisable to add acid to water and not vice versa because large amount of heat is released
if water is added to acid. This released heat is large enough to cause harm.

Acids can also be classified based on number of hydrogen ions. Monoprotic acid is the one
which gives one mole of hydrogen ions per mole of acid, such as HCl. Diprotic Acid is the one
which produces two mole of hydrogen ions per mole of acid. For Example, H2SO4.
Bases
 Bases are the one which produces hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions. Bases which are
water soluble they are known as Alkalis.
 They turn red litmus to blue.

 They have a bitter taste.

 They also produced carbon-dioxide when reacted with carbonates.

 They also evolved hydrogen gas when bases react with metals.

Reactions of Bases
1. Reaction with Metals
Base reacts with metals and produce hydrogen gas.

2NaOH + Zn → Na2 → Na2ZnO2 + H2

2. Reaction with Acids
Base reacts with acids to form salts. For Example,
KOH + HCl → KCl + H2O
3. Reaction with Non-metallic Oxides
Base reacts with non-metallic oxides to form salt and water.

2NaOH + CO2 → CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O

Classification of Bases
Bases are classified as Strong Base and Weak Base. Strong base is the one which dissociates
completely into its ions in aqueous solution. For Example, NaOH.
Weak base is the one which does not dissociate completely into its ions in aqueous
solutions. For Example, Ammonium Hydroxide, NH4OH
Bases are also classified as Dilute Base and Concentrated Base. The solution which has low
concentration of base in aqueous solution is defined as Dilute Base whereas the one which has
high concentration of base in aqueous solution is known as Concentrated Base.
Strength of Acid or Base Solutions
The dissociation constant of weak acid or weak base can be represented as-
Suppose HA is weak acid, then dissociation constant is represented as-

Strength of an acid or base can be determined using a pH scale. It is a scale to measure the
hydrogen ion concentration in a solution. The p stands for ‘potenz’, it is a German word which
means power.

 If pH is equal to 7, means the solution is neutral.

 If pH is greater then 7 means alkaline solution.

 If pH is less then 7 means the solution is acidic.

Fig.1. pH scale
Importance of pH
 Human body works at a pH of about 7.4.

 Stomach has a pH of about 2 due to presence of hydrochloric acid in it. It is needed for
the activation of pepsin protein required for protein digestion.

 When we eat food containing sugar, then the bacteria present in our mouth break down
the sugar to form acids. This acid lowers the pH in the mouth. Tooth decay starts when the
pH of acid formed in the mouth falls below 5.5. This is because then the acid becomes
strong enough to attack the enamel of our teeth and corrode it. This sets in tooth decay. The
best way to prevent tooth decay is to clean the mouth thoroughly after eating food.
 Many animals and plants protect themselves from enemies by injecting painful and
irritating acids and bases into their skin.

o When honey bee stings a person, it injects an acidic liquid into the skin. Rubbing
with mild base like baking soda solution on the stung area of the skin gives relief.

o When a wasp stings, it injects an alkaline liquid into the skin. Then rubbing with a
mild acid like vinegar on the stung area of the skin gives relief.

 Soil pH and plant growth: Most of the plants grow best when the pH of the soil is close
to 7. If the soil is too acidic or basic, the plants grow badly or do not grow at all. The soil pH is
also affected by the use of chemical fertilisers in the field. Chemicals can be added to soil to
adjust its pH and make it suitable for growing plants. If the soil is too acidic then it is treated
with materials like quicklime or slaked lime. If the soil is too alkaline then alkalinity can be
reduced by adding decaying organic matter.

Salts
When acid and base neutralize, salts are formed. Strong acid and strong base combines to form
neutral salt.

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

Eq.1. Formation of Neutral Salt
Strong acid and weak base combine to form acidic salt. For Example, Hydrochloric Acid and
ammonium hydroxide combine to form ammonium chloride. Other examples, sodium
hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen sulphate etc.
HCl + NH4OH → NH4Cl + H2O
Eq.2. Formation of Acidic Salt
Similarly, weak acid and strong base combine to form basic salt. For Example, Acetic Acid and
sodium hydroxide combine to form sodium acetate. Other examples are calcium carbonate,
potassium cyanide etc.
CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O
Eq.3. Formation of Basic Salt
The most common salt is table salt or sodium chloride (NaCl).

Indicators
They are the substances that which indicate acidic or basic nature of the solution using colour
change. For Example, litmus solution, methyl orange, phenolphthalein, methyl red etc. Acids
convert blue litmus paper red in colour. Bases turn red litmus blue. Phenolphthalein remains
colourless in presence of acids but turn pink in presence of bases.
Some Important Chemical Compounds and their uses
Preparation Uses
 
 1. Raw material for making large
number of useful chemicals in
1. NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
industry. Eg: NaOH (caustic soda),
2. From sea water by evaporation
Na2CO3 (washing soda),
3. From underground deposit
Common Salt (NaCl) NaHCO3 (baking soda).
{Large crystals of common salt found in
(Sodium Chloride) 2. Preservative in pickle and curing
underground deposit which is brown due to
meat and fish.
presence of impurities in it. It is mined from
3. To melt ice and clear roads in
underground deposit like coal.}
winters in cold countries.
4. Used in manufacturing of soap.
Uses of H2
1. Hydrogenation of oil to get
vegetable ghee (margarine)
2. To make ammonia for fertilizers
3. In fuel for rockets.
Uses of Cl2
Passing electricity through concentrated solution
1. In water treatment
of NaCl (called 'brine')
2. To clean water in swimming pools
3. To make plastic, e.g. PVC
4. To make CFCs, chloroform, dyes etc.
Caustic Soda (NaOH) 2NaCl (Brine) + 2H2O2NaOH (Caustic Soda) + Cl2 +
Uses of NaOH
(Sodium Hydroxide) H2
1. Used in making soap and detergent.
At anode (+ve electrode): Cl2 is produced
2. Used in manufacturing of paper
At cathode (-ve electrode): H2 is produced
3. De-greasing metals
It is called chloro-alkali process because products
4. Refining oil
formed are chlorine (Chloro) and NaOH (alkali).
5. Making dyes and bleaches
Uses of HCl
1. Cleaning steel
2. Preparation of chloride, e.g. NH4Cl
3. In making medicines and cosmetics
4. In making plastics, PVC etc.
Baking Soda (NaHCO3) NaCl + NH3 + H2O + CO2 → NaHCO3 + NH4Cl 1. Used as antacid in medicine to
(Sodium Properties remove acidity of the stomach
Hydrogencarbonate) Action of Heat: 2. Used in making baking
powder (Basic soda + tartaric acid)
NaHCO3 + H⊕ (from mild acid) →
 Na⊕ (sodium salt of acid) + CO2 + H2O
The CO2 produced during the process
gets trapped in wet dough and
bubbles out slowly to make cake 'rise'
so that it becomes soft and spongy.
Tartaric acid neutralizes it, and so it
has pleasant taste.
3. Used in soda-acid fire extinguisher
1. Used in glass, soap and paper
industries
Na2CO3 + 10 H2O → Na2CO3.10H2O 2. Used in manufacturing of sodium
Washing Soda
Preparation of Na2CO3 compounds such as Borax
(Na2CO3.10H2O)
{NaCl + NH3 + H2O + CO2   NaHCO3 + NH4Cl 3. Cleaning agent for domestic
(Sodium Carbonate)
NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O} purpose
4. Remove permanent hardness of
water
1. For bleaching cotton and linen in
Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O
textile industry, for bleaching wood
Slaked Lime     Calcium Oxychloride
Bleaching Powder pulp in paper factories, for bleaching
Properties
(CaOCl2) washed clothes in laundry
CaOCl2 + H2SO4 → CaSO4 + Cl2 + H2O
Calcium Oxychloride 2. Oxidizing agent in chemical
The Cl2 produced by action of dilute acid acts as
industries
bleaching agent.
3. Disinfecting drinking water
Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) 1. Used in hospital for setting
(CaSO4.1/2 H2O) fractured bones in the right position
CaSO4.H2O (Plaster of Paris) +3/2 H2O
(Calcium Sulphate to ensure correct healing.
* Heating of gypsum should not be done above
Hemihydrate) 2. Making toys, decorative materials,
100oC as above that temperature, water of
cheap ornaments, and casts of
crystallization will eliminate and anhydrous
statues.
CaSO4 will be obtained. This anhydrous CaSO4 is
3. Used as fire-proofing material
known as Dead Burnt Plaster.
4. Used in chemistry labs for setting
* CaSO4.1/2 H2O means that two molecules of
air gaps in apparatus.
CaSO4 share one molecule of water.
5. Making smooth surfaces, such as
Properties
For making ornamental designs on
Has remarkable property of setting into a hard
ceilings of houses and other buildings
mass on wetting with water, as gypsum is formed.
CaSO4.1/2 H2O (P.O.P) + 1/2 H2O → CaSO4.2H2O
(Gypsum set as hard mass)
Hence, P.O.P should be stored in moisture-proof
container as moisture can cause slow setting of
P.O.P by hydrating it.