1. Chemistry Chapter 15
Acids and Bases

2. Properties of Acids Acids taste sour Acids effect indicators
Blue litmus turns red
Methyl orange turns red
Acids have a pH lower than 7
Acids are proton (hydrogen ion, H+) donors
Acids react with active metals, produce H2
Acids react with carbonates
Acids neutralize bases

3. Acids you must know: Strong Acids Weak Acids Sulfuric acid, H2SO4
Phosphoric acid, H3PO4
Hydrochloric acid, HCl
Acetic acid, HC2H3O2
Nitric acid, HNO3

4. Sulfuric Acid Used in the production of paper
Highest volume production of any chemical in the U.S.
Used in the production of paper
Used in production of fertilizers
Used in petroleum refining

5. Nitric Acid Used in the production of fertilizers
Used in the production of explosives
Nitric acid is a volatile acid – its reactive components evaporate easily
Stains proteins (including skin!)

6. Hydrochloric Acid Used in the pickling of steel
Used to purify magnesium from sea water
Part of gastric juice, it aids in the digestion of protein
Sold commercially as “Muriatic acid”

7. Phosphoric Acid A flavoring agent in sodas
Used in the manufacture of detergents
Used in the manufacture of fertilizers
Not a common laboratory reagent

8. Acetic Acid Used in the manufacture of plastics
Used in making pharmaceuticals
Acetic acid is the acid present in vinegar

9. Acids are Proton Donors
Monoprotic acids
Diprotic acids
Triprotic acids
H3PO4
HCl
H2SO4
HC2H3O2
H2CO3
HNO3

10. Ionization of HCl and formation of hydronium ion, H3O+
H2O + HCl 
H3O+ + Cl-
Proton
acceptor
Proton
donor

11. Strong Acids vs. Weak Acids
Strong acids are assumed to be 100% ionized in solution (good proton donors).
HCl
H2SO4
HNO3
Weak acids are usually less than 5% ionized in solution (poor proton donors).
H3PO4
HC2H3O2
Organic acids

12. Strong Acid Dissociation

13. Weak Acid Dissociation

14. Organic Acids
Organic acids all contain the “carboxyl” group, sometimes several of them.
The carboxyl group is a poor proton donor, so ALL organic acids are weak acids.

15. Examples of Organic Acids
Citric acid in citrus fruit
Malic acid in sour apples
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA
Amino acids, the building blocks of protein
Lactic acid in sour milk and sore muscles
Butyric acid in rancid butter

16. Acids Effect Indicators
Blue litmus paper turns red in contact with an acid.

17. Acids Have a pH less than 7

18. Acids React with Active Metals
Acids react with active metals to form salts and hydrogen gas.
Mg + 2HCl  MgCl2 + H2(g)

19. Acids React with Carbonates
2HC2H3O2 + Na2CO3
2 NaC2H3O2 + H2O + CO2

20. Products of Neutralization
HCl + NaOH 
NaCl + H2O
H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 
CaSO H2O
HNO3 + KOH 
KNO3 + H2O
The products of neutralization are always a ______ and _______.
salt
water

21. Acids Neutralize Bases
HCl + NaOH  NaCl + H2O
Neutralization reactions ALWAYS produce a salt and water.

22. Effects of Acid Rain on Marble (calcium carbonate)
George Washington:
BEFORE
George Washington:
AFTER

23. Properties of Bases Bases effect indicators Red litmus turns blue
Bases taste bitter
Bases effect indicators
Red litmus turns blue
Phenolphthalein turns purple
Bases have a pH greater than 7
Bases are proton (hydrogen ion, H+) acceptors
Solutions of bases feel slippery
Bases neutralize acids

24. Examples of Bases Sodium hydroxide (lye), NaOH
Potassium hydroxide, KOH
Magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2
Calcium hydroxide (lime), Ca(OH)2

25. Bases Effect Indicators
Red litmus paper turns blue in contact with a base.
Phenolphthalein turns purple in a base.

26. Bases have a pH greater than 7

27. Bases Neutralize Acids
Milk of Magnesia contains magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2, which neutralizes stomach acid, HCl.
2 HCl + Mg(OH)2
MgCl2 + 2 H2O