ACIDIC, BASIC AND NEUTRAL SUBSTANCES

If we make a careful observation, we can see that in our everyday life we come across and use many chemical substances. The food that we eat, the medicines that we take when we fall ill, the clothes that we wear and the fuels that we use for obtaining energy are all chemical substances. INDICATORS Indicators are substances which, when brought into contact with other substances, show the nature of these substances. Turmeric, commonly used in our cooking, is an indicator. Other commonly used indicators are litmus, methyl orange and phenolphthalein. Indicators are usually obtained from plant extracts. When strips of paper are allowed to absorb the indicators and then dried, we get indicators in the form of paper strips. These strips, if moistened, change colour on coming in contact with other substances. The following tables show the colour change of various indicators in acids and bases.
S.no. 1. 2. 3. 4. Colour of Indicators in Acidic Solutions indicator Colour in acidic solutions Blue litmus Red Red litmus Red Phenolphthalein Colourless Methyl orange Orange Colour of Indicators in Basic Solutions Indicator Colour in Basic Solutions Red Litmus Blue Blue Litmus Blue Methyl orange Yellow Phenophthalein Turmeric Pink Reddish Brown

S,No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

ACIDIC SUBSTANCES How do vinegar and pure lemon juice taste? They taste sour. The sour taste of these substances is due to the acid present in them. The word acid is derived from the Latin word acere, which means sour.

A bee sting or an ant bite is painful because of an acid, called formic acid, injected into our bodies by these insects. Milk turns sour after some time because of conversion of lactose into lactic acid. Some acids occur naturally in plants and animals. These are called organic acids. Some of these organic acids are tabulated below: Acid 1 Lactic acid 2.Acetic acid 3.Tartaric acid 4.Malic acid Occurrence Milk Vinegar Grapes Apples

How are Acids Produced? Acids are formed when non-metals burn in air and their oxides are dissolved in water. For instance, carbon burns in air to form carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, on reacting with water, produces carbonic acid. C + Carbon O2 Oxygen CO2 Carbon Dioxide H2CO3 Carbonic acid

CO2 + H2O Carbon dioxide water

Test for Acids The acidity of a substance can be observed by the action of acid on a blue litmus paper. Acids turn blue litmus red. Types of Acids Now that we know what an acid is and how acids are produced, let us find out more about the various kinds of acids. These acids are compounds of carbon and have the COOH group in their molecular structure. These acids are usually found in plants and animals. For instance, we find formic add in ants, acetic add in vinegar, citric add in lemons and organic adds in other citrus fruits. Mineral Acids These acids are manufactured from minerals on a large scale. Some of the most prominent mineral acids are: Sulphuric acid Nitric acid Hydrochloric acid Concentrated Acids These acids contain little or no water and exist mostly in molecular form. Dilute Acids These acids are mixed with a large quantity of water. Weak Acid Acids which produce very few hydrogen ions in solution are called weak acids.

Formic acid, acetic acid and citric acid are examples of such acids. Strong Acids Strong acids are those which produce a lot of hydrogen ions in solution. Mineral acids are generally strong. Properties of Acids Acids show certain common physical properties. This is because all acids produce one or more hydrogen ions in solution. Let us understand what properties are displayed by acids. Acids have a sour taste. The sour taste of lemon juice, unripe fruits, vinegar, etc., is due to the presence of acids in them. Acids affect indicators. If a blue litmus paper is dipped in a solution containing acid, it will turn red. Acids are corrosive. The solutions of acids conduct electricity. Strong acids are good conductors of electricity, whereas weak acids do not conduct electricity so well. Acids are soluble in water. Uses Of Acids Sulphuric Acid Used in batteries of cars and invertors. Used in the manufacture of fertilizers. Used to make synthetic fibres and plastics. Used to manufacture dyes and detergents. Hydrochloric Acid Used to clean metal surfaces and sanitary Ware. Used for descaling pipes. Used in the manufacture of glucose from starch. Nitric Acid Used in the manufacture of explosives. Used in the manufacture of fertilizers. y Used in the process of extraction of gold along with hydrochloric acid. Carbonic Acid y Commonly used as soda water. y Used in making aerated drinks.

Acetic acid Used in flavouring food items. Commonly used to preserve pickles. Tartaric acid

It is a constituent of baking powder which is used to make cakes, pastries, idlis and dhoklas fluffy.Acetic acid

y Used in flavouring food items. y Commonly used to preserve pickles.

Tartaric acid

It is a constituent of baking powder which is used to make cakes, pastries, idlis and dhoklas fluffy.
BASIC SUBSTANCES All substances are not acidic. Some sub-stances react with acids to form salt and water. These are called basic substances. How are Bases Produced? When metals burn in air to form oxides, bases are produced. Some of these oxides basic oxides are soluble in water and produce hydroxides. These water-soluble bases are called alkalis. Test for Bases Bases turn red litmus paper blue. Properties of Bases Bases have a bitter taste. Bases have a silky, soapy feel. Bases are corrosive or they cause burns. Bases affect indicators. STRONG AND WEAK BASE

Just like strong and weak acids, there are strong and weak bases. Oxides of sodium and potassium are strong bases and these oxides react with water to form strong alkalis, namely sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. On the other hand, oxides of copper and zinc are weak bases. USES OF BASES
SODIUM HYDROXIDE(caustic acid) Used to manufacture soap. Used in the manufacturing of synthetic fibres like rayon. Commonly used as a laboratory reagent. CALCIUM OXIDE (quick lime) Used in the manufacturing of glass and cement. Used to neutralise the acidity of soils. Used as a drying agent. Used in lining furnaces.

MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE AND CALCIUM HYYDROXIDE Both these bases are used as antacids to neutralise acidity in the stomach. Calciim hydroxide ( Slaked lime, formed by dissolving calcium oxide in water) The clear solution, known as lime water, is commonly used as a laboratory reagent. Used in the manufacturing of bleaching powder. The milk of lime is used in whitewash. NEUTRAL SUBSTANCES There are substances which are neither acidic nor basic. These have no effect on indicators. Such substances are called neutral substances. We come across many neutral substances in our daily life. Water, alcohol, common salt and sugar are a few examples of neutral substances.