Science Term 1 - Acid, Bases, and Salts

Acids

• Sour Taste

• Irritating smell

• Hot and Corrosive

• Good conductor of Electricity

• pH less than 7

• It reacts with METAL to produce HYDROGEN GAS.

• BLUE to RED (Litmus paper test)

Hydrochloric Acid

(also called muriatic acid)

• functioning as a primary digestive fluid in your body

• an active ingredient in heavy-duty household cleaners

• a pool water balancer

• an essential component in manufacturing everyday products like table salt and plastics

HCl

Chemical formula of hydrochloric acid

Sulfuric Acid

Primarily used as an electrolyte in lead-acid car batteries, a potent active ingredient in commercial-grade drain cleaners, and a key raw material for manufacturing agricultural fertilizers

H₂SO₄

Chemical formula of Sulfuric Acid

Nitric Acid

• aqua fortis (Latin for "strong water")

• Strong Oxidizer to dissolve noble metals (like silver) and in fertilizer production

• A highly corrosive, strong mineral acid. While rarely handled directly in households due to its hazardous nature, it plays a massive role in daily life through agriculture, manufacturing, and commercial cleaning.

HNO₃

Chemical formula of Nitric Acid

Acetic Acid

(vinegar) organic weak acid

CH₃COOH

Carboxylic Acids

The most common group, characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Sulfonic Acids

Stronger acids containing the (-SO_2OH) group.

Bases

• Bitter Taste

• Irritating smell

• Slipper texture

• Good conductor of electricity

• pH greater than 7

• It reacts with FATS to form SOAP

• RED to BLUE (Litmus paper test)

Sodium Hydroxide

Lye or caustic soda—highly corrosive, white crystalline solid

NaOH

Chemical formula of Sodium Hydroxide

Potassium Hydroxide

Caustic potash or lye—manufacture of soft liquid soaps, agricultural liquid fertilizers, and alkaline batteries.

KOH

Chemical formula of Potassium Hydroxide

Calcium Hydroxide

Slaked lime or hydrated lime—municipal water treatment, commercial construction, agricultural soil amendment, dentistry, and food processing.

CA(OH)₂

Chemical formula of Calcium Hydroxide

Ammonium Hydroxide

Aqueous ammonia or ammonia water—primarily in household and industrial cleaning, wastewater treatment, agriculture, etc.

NH₄OH

Chemical formula of Ammonium Hydroxide

Salt (NaCl)

• Sodium chloride (NaCl)

• Ionic compound

• 40% sodium and 60% chloride

• Primary component for seasoning, food preservation, and regulating the body's fluid balance, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions