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7.10: Acid-Base Properties of Salt Solutions

  • Page ID
    98411
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    Learning Objectives
    • To recognize salts that will produce acidic, basic, or neutral solutions in water
    • To understand the Lewis acidity of small, highly-charged metal ions in water

    The chemical reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) to produce calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and water (H₂O) is an example of an acid-base neutralization reaction. Here is the balanced chemical equation for this reaction:

    chem reaction for acid base neutralization

    This reaction shows that two moles of hydrochloric acid react with one mole of calcium hydroxide to produce one mole of calcium chloride and two moles of water.

    • All acids get neutralized with bases to produce salt solution and water molecules!
    • Any base can be neutralized with acid, to produce salt solution and water molecules!

    This phenomenon is called Acid Based Neutralization.

    Here are some simple explanations and examples of the physical properties of acids and bases:

    Physical Properties of Acids

    1. Taste:
      • Acids have a sour taste.
      • Example: Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges contain citric acid, which gives them their sour flavor.
    2. Smell:
      • Some acids have a sharp, pungent smell.
      • Example: Vinegar, which contains acetic acid, has a distinctive strong smell.
    3. pH Level:
      • Acids have a pH level less than 7.
      • Example: Lemon juice has a pH around 2-3, making it a strong acid among common household substances.
    4. Reactivity with Metals:
      • Acids react with certain metals to produce hydrogen gas.
      • Example: Hydrochloric acid in the lab reacts with zinc to produce hydrogen gas and zinc chloride.

    Physical Properties of Bases

    1. Taste:
      • Bases have a bitter taste.
      • Example: Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has a slightly bitter taste, though it's usually experienced in small quantities in food.
    2. Feel:
      • Bases feel slippery or soapy to the touch.
      • Example: Many cleaning products, like household ammonia, feel slippery because they contain bases.
    3. pH Level:
      • Bases have a pH level greater than 7.
      • Example: Household ammonia, used in many cleaners, has a pH around 11-12, making it a strong base.
    4. Conductivity:
      • Bases can conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
      • Example: Lye (sodium hydroxide), used in oven cleaners, conducts electricity when dissolved in water.

    Simple Examples:

    1. Citrus Fruits (Acidic):
      • Contain citric acid.
      • Sour taste, pH around 2-3.
      • Example: Lemon, lime, orange.
    2. Vinegar (Acidic):
      • Contains acetic acid.
      • Sour taste, strong smell, pH around 2.4.
      • Example: Used in salad dressings and for cleaning.
    3. Baking Soda (Basic):
      • Contains sodium bicarbonate.
      • Slightly bitter taste, pH around 9.
      • Example: Used in baking and as a cleaning agent.
    4. Household Ammonia (Basic):
      • Contains ammonium hydroxide.
      • Slippery feel, strong smell, pH around 11.
      • Example: Used in window cleaners and other household cleaners.

    These examples help illustrate the everyday presence of acids and bases and their physical properties.


    7.10: Acid-Base Properties of Salt Solutions is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.