UNDERSTANDING ACIDS and ALKALIS Intermediate 2 Chemistry Unit 3(a)
Water What do you know about the structure of water?
For every 560,000,000 water molecules, one will dissociate into ions. Each molecule produces 1 H+(aq) ion and 1 OH-(aq) ion. The number of H+(aq) and OH-(aq) ions is therefore small but EQUAL. Equal numbers of H+(aq) and OH-(aq) ions ions means that the pH is 7.
What is an acid? A solution which contains more H+(aq) ions than OH-(aq) ions. H+(aq) OH-(aq)
OH-(aq) What is an alkali? A solution contains more OH-(aq) ions than H+(aq) ions. OH-(aq) H+(aq) An alkali is a special type of base - one which has been dissolved in water
What is a base? A substance which increases the concentration of OH-(aq) ions in solution.
Bases Alkalis
What are common lab acids? Formula Ions in solution H+(aq) per formula Strong or weak? Hydrochloric acid Nitric acid Sulphuric acid Ethanoic acid
What are common lab bases? Acid Formula Equation for when added to water OH-(aq) produced per formula Strong or weak? Magnesium oxide Sodium hydroxide Calcium carbonate Ammonia