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