ACIDS a) Sulphuric Acid: H250, Commercial names: oll of vitriol, "battery acid" Propert/es: • good dehydrating agent (I.e. removes water from substances) • strongly exothermic reaction when mixed with water • concentrated form chars some types of organic material (e.g. sugars) as a result of dehydrating action • reacts with some metals, but often slowly • good electrolyte (conducts electricity) • concentrated sulphuric acid is 98% HSO, and 2% water (18 M HSO4) Common uses: • production of sulphates • manufacturing fertilizers, explosives, dyes, insecticides, detergents, plastics • used to absorb waler and keep chemicals/nonaqueous solutions free of water • used in car batterles as an electrolyte b) Hydrochloric Acid: HCI Commercial name: • muriatic acid Properties: • good electrolyte • concentrated solutions have a choking odour • reacts with some metals, but often slowly • concentrated hydrochloric acld is 37% HCl In water (12 M HCI) Common uses: • production of chlorides • cleaning metal products (removes metal oxides) and bricks • catalyst in some chemical reactions • "stomach acid" is a dilute solution of HCi; stomach acid activates a protein-digesting biological calalyst called an "enzyme" • removing "boller scale", which consists of calcium and magnesium carbonate •) Nitric Acid: HNO Commercial name: (none, other than "nitric acld") Properties: • colours protein yellow (this is a nonspecille test for the presence of protein). Hence, turns skin yellow on contact. • very reactive, quickly attacks almost all metals • concentrated nitric acid is 69% HNOg In water (16 M HNOg) Common uses: • production of nitrates • manufacturing fertilizers, explosives, dyes d) Acotic Acid: CHCOOH Commercial name: 5% aqueous solution is called "vinegar" Properties: • non-electrolyte when concentrated (99 - 100%, 17 M); weak electrolyte when diluted • only affects highly reactive metals Common uses: • making acetates • food preservation ("pickles") • manufacturing textlies and plastics