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
ā¢) 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
Updated 147d ago