DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, BANGALORE EAST
Chapter 5 -ACIDS, BASES AND SALTS (NOTES)
NAME: CLASS: VII SEC: DATE:
Q1. State differences between acids and bases.
Property Acids Bases
Taste Sour in taste Bitter in taste
Feel Irritates /burns skin Soapy to touch
Action with litmus paper Turns blue litmus red. Turns red litmus blue.
Action with each other Reacts with bases to form Reacts with acids to form
salt and water. salt and water
Q 2. Ammonia is found in many household products, such as window cleaners. It turns red
litmus blue. What is its nature?
Ans. Ammonia has basic nature.
Q3. Name the source from which litmus solution is obtained. What is the use of this solution?
Ans. Litmus solution is extracted from lichens. It is used to determine whether the given
solution is acidic or basic.
Q4. Is the distilled water acidic/basic/neutral? How would you verify it?
Ans The distilled water is neutral. Litmus paper can be used to verify it. Distilled water does not
change the colour of blue or red litmus paper. So it is neutral in nature.
Q5. Describe the process of neutralisation with the help of an example.
Ans The reaction between an acid and a base is known as neutralisation. Salt and water
are produced in this process with the evolution of heat.
Antacids like milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), baking soda, etc. which
contain a base are used for neutralising excessive acid released by glands of stomach.
This helps in reducing acidity in stomach.
[Link] ‘T’ if the statement is true and ‘F’ if it is false:
(i) Nitric acid turns red litmus blue. (T/F)
(ii) Sodium hydroxide turns blue litmus red. {T/F)
(iii) Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid neutralise each other and form salt and water.
(T/F)
(iv) Indicator is a substance which shows different colours in acidic and basic solutions. . (T/F)
(v) Tooth decay is caused by the presence of a base. (T/F)
Ans. (1) F (ii) F (iii) T (iv) T (V) F
Q7. Dorji has a few bottles of soft drink in his restaurant. But unfortunately, these are not labelled.
He has to serve the drinks on the demand of customers. One customer wants acidic drink, another
wants basic and third one wants neutral drink. How will Dorji decide which drink is to be served to
whom?
Ans. Dorji can decide with the help of litmus paper:
(i) The drink which would turn a red litmus blue would be basic.
(ii) If the drink turns a blue litmus to red, it would be acidic.
(iii) The drink which would not affect both red and blue litmus would be neutral.
Q8. Explain why:
(a) An antacid tablet is taken when you suffer from acidity.
(b) Calamine solution is applied on the skin when an ant bites.
(c) Factory waste is neutralised before disposing it into the water bodies.
Ans. (a) We take an antacid such as milk of magnesia to neutralise the excessive
hydrochloric acid released in stomach.
(b) Ant injects an acidic liquid (Formic acid) into the skin on biting which causes
inflammation to the skin. Calamine solution contains a weak base (zinc carbonate)
which neutralises the effect of this acid.
(c) The wastes of factories contain acids. If they are disposed off in the water body, they
will harm the organisms. Also it leads to pollution of water. So, factory wastes are
neutralised by adding basic substances.
Q9. Three liquids are given to you. One is hydrochloric acid; another is sodium hydroxide and third is
a sugar solution. How will you identify them? You have only turmeric indicator.
Ans. Dip the turmeric indicator in each liquid. The liquid in which the colour changes to
reddish brown is basic in nature, i.e, sodium hydroxide. Now pour little sodium
hydroxide in other two bottles. The bottle which get warm has hydrochloric acid since
heat evolves in neutralisation process. The last one which shows no effect has sugar
solution.
Q10. Blue litmus paper is dipped in a solution. It remains blue. What is the nature of the
solution? Explain.
Ans. The above solution could be a basic or a neutral solution because blue litmus paper does
not change its colour in the neutral as well as basic solution.
Q. 11. Consider the following statements:
(a) Both acids and bases change colour of all indicators.
(b) If an indicator gives a colour change with an acid, it does not give a change with a base.
(c) If an indicator changes colour with a base, it does not change colour with an acid.
(d) Change of colour in an acid and a base depends on the type of the indicator.
Which of these statements are correct?
(i) All four (ii) (a) and (d) (iii) (b) and (c) (iv) only (d)
Ans. (iv) only (d)
INDICATORS ORIGINAL COLOUR IN ACID COLOUR IN
AND THEIR COLOUR BASE
COLOUR
CHANGE
INDICATORS
Turmeric Yellow No change Reddish Brown
China rose Natural colour Deep pink Light green
Red /purple Purple Red Green
cabbage
Red Litmus Red No change Blue
Blue Litmus Blue Red No change
Methyl Orange Orange Pinkish red Yellow
Phenolphthalein Colourless Colourless Pink