Acids, Bases, Neutralization Reactions, and Nomenclature

Vocabulary flashcards covering the clinical significance of stomach acid neutralization, double replacement mechanisms, binary and ternary acid nomenclature, and common inorganic hydroxide, carbonate, and bicarbonate bases.

Double replacement reaction

A chemical reaction mechanism in which reacting compounds exchange cations and anions (or positive and negative charge centers) to yield new products.

Antacids

Commercial over-the-counter medications that relieve gastrointestinal hyperacidity by reacting with and consuming excess hydronium or hydrochloric acid present in gastric juice.

Milk of Magnesia

An antacid suspension composed of magnesium hydroxide ($Mg(OH)_2$) that neutralizes stomach acid according to the balanced equation: $2HCl_{(aq)} + Mg(OH)_2 \rightarrow MgCl_{2(aq)} + 2H_2O_{(l)}$.

Calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$)

An ionic compound consisting of calcium cations ($Ca^{2+}$) and carbonate anions ($CO_3^{2-}$) that serves as a principal component of chalk and the active antacid ingredient in TUMS.

Neutralization of stomach acid via calcium carbonate

A coordinated two-step reaction pathway consisting of an initial double replacement forming aqueous calcium chloride and carbonic acid ($2HCl_{(aq)} + CaCO_3 \rightarrow CaCl_{2(aq)} + H_2CO_3$), followed immediately by the decomposition of unstable carbonic acid into carbon dioxide and water ($H_2CO_3 \rightarrow CO_{2(g)} + H_2O_{(l)}$).

Binary acids

Molecular compounds composed of exactly two distinct chemical elements, consisting of hydrogen bonded to an electronegative halogen from Group 7A.

Group 7A Halogens

Non-metal elements positioned one column removed from the noble gases that readily gain one electron to achieve an octet, forming monovalent anions with a $-1$ charge ($F^-$, $Cl^-$, $Br^-$, $I^-$).

Binary acid nomenclature

A systematic naming convention for aqueous binary acids using the prefix hydro-, followed by the root name of the halogen element, and concluding with the suffix -ic acid.

Hydrochloric acid ($HCl_{(aq)}$)

The most practically significant binary acid, widely utilized in household cleaning supplies and biologically synthesized within the human gastric mucosa as stomach acid.

Ternary acids

Acids constructed from three distinct elements (hydrogen, an identifying central non-metal element, and oxygen) derived from the association of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) with polyatomic oxyanions.

Ternary acid nomenclature

A naming convention where the root name is taken directly from the central element followed by the suffix -ic acid, while strictly omitting the prefix hydro-.

Sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_{4(aq)}$)

A ternary acid composed of hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen, formed when two hydrogen ions ($H^+$) combine with the divalent sulfate polyatomic anion ($SO_4^{2-}$).

Nitric acid ($HNO_{3(aq)}$)

A ternary acid composed of hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, formed when one hydrogen ion ($H^+$) combines with the monovalent nitrate polyatomic anion ($NO_3^-$).

Carbonic acid ($H_2CO_{3(aq)}$)

An unstable ternary acid composed of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen originating from carbonate ($CO_3^{2-}$), naturally present in carbonated beverages such as Coca Cola and Sprite.

Phosphoric acid ($H_3PO_{4(aq)}$)

A ternary acid composed of hydrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen, formed when three hydrogen ions ($H^+$) combine with the trivalent phosphate polyatomic anion ($PO_4^{3-}$).

Hydroxide ion ($OH^-$)

A basic polyatomic anion possessing a $-1$ charge that combines with metal cations to form inorganic bases that elevate solution $pH$.

Carbonate ion ($CO_3^{2-}$)

A basic polyatomic anion possessing a $-2$ charge that combines with metal cations to form carbonate bases.

Bicarbonate ion ($HCO_3^-$)

A basic polyatomic anion composed of three oxygen atoms, one hydrogen atom, and a $-1$ charge; also designated as hydrogen carbonate.

Lithium carbonate ($Li_2CO_3$)

A Group 1 carbonate base that elevates $pH$ in aqueous solution and is extensively applied as a clinical pharmaceutical treatment for bipolar disorder.

Sodium bicarbonate ($NaHCO_3$)

A Group 1A bicarbonate base that functions as the active chemical ingredient in household baking soda and commercial Alka Seltzer antacid.

Aluminum hydroxide ($Al(OH)_3$)

An inorganic base formed from one trivalent aluminum cation ($Al^{3+}$) and three monovalent hydroxide anions ($OH^-$) to maintain electrical neutrality.