The characteristic properties of acids and bases

What the syllabus asks of you

• Describe the characteristic properties of acids in terms of their reactions with: (a) metals (b) bases (c) carbonates
• Describe acids in terms of their effect on: (a) litmus (b) thymolphthalein (c) methyl orange
• State that bases are oxides or hydroxides of metals and that alkalis are soluble bases
• Describe the characteristic properties of bases in terms of their reactions with: (a) acids (b) ammonium salts
• Describe alkalis in terms of their effect on: (a) litmus (b) thymolphthalein (c) methyl orange
• State that aqueous solutions of acids contain 9 Define acids as proton donors and bases as H+ ions and aqueous solutions of alkalis contain proton acceptors OH– ions 10 Define a strong acid as an acid that is completely dissociated in aqueous solution and a weak acid as an acid that is partially dissociated in aqueous solution 11 State that hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, as shown by the symbol equation, HCl (aq) → H+(aq) + Cl –(aq) 12 State that ethanoic acid is a weak acid, as shown by the symbol equation, CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ H+(aq) + CH3COO–(aq)
• Describe how to compare hydrogen ion concentration, neutrality, relative acidity and relative alkalinity in terms of colour and pH using universal indicator paper
• Describe the neutralisation reaction between an acid and an alkali to produce water, H+ (aq) + OH– (aq) → H2O (l )