Acids, Bases, and Salts Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to acids, bases, salts, their properties, indicators, and practical applications.

Acids

Substances that donate protons (H+ ions) during a chemical reaction, typically having a sour taste.

Bases

Substances that accept protons (H+ ions) or donate hydroxide ions (OH-) during a chemical reaction, typically having a bitter taste.

Litmus Paper

An indicator used to determine whether a substance is acidic or basic; turns red in the presence of acids and blue in the presence of bases.

Neutralisation Reaction

A chemical reaction in which an acid and a base react to form water and a salt.

pH Scale

A scale used to measure the strength of acids and bases, ranging from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base), with 7 being neutral.

Olfactory Indicators

Substances whose smell changes in acidic or basic solutions, allowing identification based on odor changes.

Hydronium Ion

The ion formed when a hydrogen ion (H+) combines with a water molecule (H2O), represented as H3O+.

Common Salt

An ionic compound formed from sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) produced through the reaction of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.

Bleaching Powder

A chemical compound (Ca(OCl)2) produced from the reaction of chlorine gas with slaked lime, used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Commonly known as baking soda; used in baking, as an antacid, and as a cleaning agent.

Acids and Electricity

Both acids and bases act as electrolytes in aqueous solutions, meaning they can conduct electricity by producing ions.

Water of Crystallization

The fixed number of water molecules present in the crystal structure of a salt, which can be lost upon heating.

Plaster of Paris

A powder made from gypsum that hardens when mixed with water; used in construction and medical casts.