LEBAWI INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Grade- 10 Chemistry short note on Acid
INTRODUCTION TO ACID
• Acid is a corrosive substance with a pH level below 7.
• It reacts with various materials, causing them to dissolve or deteriorate.
• Acids can be found in natural sources like citrus fruits and vinegar, as well as
manufactured chemicals.
• They are widely used in industries such as chemistry, manufacturing, and cleaning.
• Due to their corrosive nature, acids should be handled with caution and appropriate
safety measures.
• In Latin the word acidus is used for sour.
What is Acid?
• The simplest definition of acids is suggested by Savante Arrhenius, a Swedish
Chemist.
• Arrhenius defined an acid as a substance that releases hydrogen ion or proton, H+,
or hydronium ion, H3O+, in aqueous solution.
In general, the ionization of acids takes place as follows.
HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl–(aq) or
HCl(aq) + H2O(l) → H3O+(aq) + Cl–(aq)
H2SO4(aq) → 2H+(aq) + SO42-(aq) or
H2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) → 2H3O+(aq) + SO42–(aq)
• According to this definition, for a substance to be an Arrhenius acid, it should
contain ionizable hydrogen.
• Some examples of Arrhenius acids are:-
1) HNO3, 3) H3PO4, 5) HI and
2) H2SO4, 4) HBr, 6) HF.
CLASSIFICATION OF ACID
Acids can be classified based on two criteria. These are: -
A) Classification of Acids Based on the Number of Ionizable Hydrogen, and
B) Classification of Acids Based on the Number of Elements they Contain
A) Classification of Acids Based on the Number of Ionizable Hydrogen
Acids are classified as monoprotic, diprotic, and polyprotic depending upon the number
of replaceable hydrogen ions (H+) or hydronium ions (H3O+ ions) per molecule of the
acid.
An acid that contains only one ionizable hydrogen atom per molecule is called
monoprotic.
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Example: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3) are monoprotic acids
because each give only one H+ ion upon dissociation in aqueous solution.
HCl (aq) → H+ (aq) + Cl– (aq)
HNO3 (aq) → H+ (aq) + NO3– (aq)
- Diprotic acids are acids that contain two ionizable hydrogen atoms per molecule,
meaning they can donate two protons in a reaction.
- Polyprotic acids are acids that can donate more than two protons in a reaction.
- Examples of diprotic acids include sulfuric acid and carbonic acid, while examples of
polyprotic acids include phosphoric acid and citric acid.
- The dissociation of diprotic and polyprotic acids results in multiple equilibrium
reactions, leading to stepwise releases of protons.
H2SO4 (aq) → 2H+ (aq) + SO42– (aq)
H2CO3 (aq) ⇌ 2H+ (aq) + CO32– (aq)
H3PO4 (aq) ⇌ 3H+ (aq) + PO43– (aq)
B) Classification of Acids Based on the Number of Elements they contain
Acids can also be classified depending on the number of their constituent elements as
binary and ternary acids.
Binary acids are those acids composed of only two different elements. The two
elements are hydrogen and a non-metal.
Examples of binary acids are HCl, HBr, HF, HI, and H2S.
Ternary acids also called oxy-acids are acids composed of three different elements.
The three elements usually are hydrogen, oxygen and a non-metal.
Examples are H2SO4, H2CO3, HClO4, and H3PO4.
General properties of Acids
1. Some general properties of Acids are
2. Acids have a sour taste.
3. Acids change the color of certain acid-base indicators.
a. Litmus: - In the presence of an acid, litmus paper turns red.
b. Phenolphthalein: - In the presence of an acid, phenolphthalein remains colorless.
c. Methyl orange: - In the presence of an acid, methyl orange turns red.
4. Acids react with active metals to yield hydrogen gas.
H2SO4 + Zn → ZnSO4 + H2
6HCl + 2Al → 2AlCl3 + 3H2
5. Acids react with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to form salt, water and carbon
dioxide gas.
Acid + Hydrogen carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
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Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide
Example:-
2HCl + CaCO3 → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
HCl + NaHCO3 → NaCl + H2O + CO2
6. Concentrated acids react with sulphites to form salts with the liberation of sulphur
dioxide gas.
Sulphite + Acid → Sulphur dioxide + Salt + Water
CaSO3 + H2SO4 → SO2 + CaSO4 + H2O
NaHSO3 + HCl → SO2 + NaCl + H2O
7. Acids react with bases (oxides and hydroxides of metal and ammonium hydroxide)
to form salts and water. The reaction of acids with basic oxides or bases to form salt
and water is called neutralization reaction
Acid + Base (basic oxides or hydroxides of metal) → Salt + Water
Example: reaction of acids with basic oxides
2HCl + MgO → MgCl2 + H2O
H2SO4 + CaO → CaSO4 + H2O
Example: Reaction of acids with hydroxides of metals
H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
HNO3 + KOH → KNO3 + H2O
8. Aqueous solutions of acids are electrolytes, meaning that they conduct electrical
current. Some acids are strong electrolytes because they ionize completely in water,
yielding a great number of ions. Other acids are weak electrolytes that exist
primarily in a non-ionized form when dissolved in water.
Strength of Acids
Strong and Weak Acids
• Based on their degree of dissociation, acids are divided into strong acids
and weak acids.
Strong acids
• If an acid completely dissociates in an aqueous solution, it is called a strong acid.
• Strong acids produce large amount of H+ ions in the aqueous solution as they
dissociate completely.
• Example: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
H2SO4 (aq) → 2H+ (aq) + SO42– (aq)
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Weak Acids
• An acid is called weak if it dissociates only partially in aqueous solution. Weak
acids release few hydrogen ions in aqueous solution.
• The aqueous solution of a weak acid contains hydronium ions, anions and dissolved
molecules of the acid.
• Examples of weak acids are acetic acid (CH3COOH), oxalic acid (H2C2O4),
carbonic acid (H2CO3).
CH3COOH ⇌ H+ + CH3COO–
H2C2O4 ⇌ 2H+ + C2O42–
H2CO3 ⇌ 2H+ + CO32–
Concentrated and Dilute Acids
• The terms “concentrated” and “dilute” are used to describe the relative amount
of acid present in a given solution.
• A concentrated acid has a relatively large amount of solute dissolved in the
solvent.
• A dilute acid has a relatively smaller amount of solute dissolved in the solvent.
• Both strong acid and a weak acid may be concentrated or diluted depending on
the number of moles of acid present.
Precautions in Handling Acid
a. Wear goggles, gloves and a laboratory coat
b. If a concentrated acid is spilled or splashed on your body, first wash the affected part
with running water and then with 10% Na2CO3 solution
c. To dilute concentrated acids, pour the concentrated acid in to water and not water
into the acid.
d. If corrosive acids are swallowed, administer weak bases such as Mg (OH)2 or Al
(OH)3.
e. Use bellows to pipette acid instead of sucking using yours lips.
f. If an acid enters your eye, wash with water repeatedly and then consult a doctor
g. If concentrated acid is spilled on to cloth, immediately wash it with running water
pH and pH scale
pH and pH scale
• The molar concentrations of H3O+ in aqueous solutions are generally very small
and expressing acidity as the concentration of H3O+ becomes cumbersome.
• Instead, a more convenient quantity called pH is used as a measure of the acid
strength of a solution.
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• Water is a weak electrolyte because it ionizes very slightly into ions in a process
called autoionization or self-ionization;
H2O ⇌ H+ + OH–
The ionic product constant of water ‘Kw’ is given as
Kw = [H+][OH–] = 1.0 x 10–14 at 25 °C
It is known that the amount of [H+] and [OH-] in pure water are equal
[H+] = [OH–] or
[H+] = 1.0 ×10–7
[H+]2 = 1.0 × 10–14 at 25 °C
pH = - log[H+]
Concerning this equation, a scale develops according to the molar concentration of H+
ions which is called the pH scale.
It ranges from 0 to 14.
According to this scale, the pH of water is calculated as:
pH = - log[H+] = -log (1x10–7) = 7,
similarly, pOH = - log [OH–] = -log(1x10–7) = 7
pH value normally varies from 0 to 14. Therefore:
pH + pOH = 14
Example: 1
Calculate the pH value of a solution when hydrogen ion concentration is 1.0 x 10-5mo
L-1.
Solution:
pH is related to hydrogen ion concentration by an equation
pH = - log[H+]
It is given that [H+] = 1.0 x 10-5 mol L–1 = 10-5 mol L–1
pH = - log[H+] =- log (10–5)
= -(-5 log (10) = 5 x 1=5
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Example: 2
Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration of an aqueous solution when its pH is 9.
Solution:
The concentration of hydrogen ion and the pH value of an aqueous solution is related
by
pH = – log [H+]
–pH = log [H+]
[H+] = antilog (–pH) = 10–9 = 1.0 x 10–9 mol L–1
Preparation of Acids
Acids can be prepared by:
1. The reaction of oxides of non-metals (acidic oxides) and water:
Acidic oxide + Water → Acid
Example:
N2O5 (s) + H2O (l) → 2HNO3 (aq)
P4O10 (s) + 6H2O (l) → 4H3PO4 (aq)
2. Direct combination of some non-metals: like S and Cl with hydrogen.
This method is mostly used to prepare binary acids (acids consisting of
only two elements
Nonmetal + Hydrogen → Binary acid
Example:
H2 (g) + Cl2 (g) → 2HCl (g)
H2(g) + S (s) → H2S (g)
3. Using a non-volatile acid:
Volatile acids can be prepared by heating their salts with a non-volatile
acid. For example, concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is a nonvolatile
acid and it is used for the preparation of volatile acids Hydrochloric acid
(HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3) according to the following equations:
NaCl (s) + H2SO4 (l) → NaHSO4 (s) + HCl (l)
Nonvolatile Volatile
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Use of Some Important Acid
- Hydrochloric Acid (HCl):
1. Used in the chemical industry for the production of PVC (polyvinyl
chloride).
2. Used in the food industry for pickling and as a food additive.
3. Used in the production of pharmaceuticals.
4. Used in household cleaning products.
5. Used as a laboratory reagent for various experiments.
- Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4):
1. Used in the production of fertilizers.
2. Used in the production of detergents and soaps.
3. Used in the automotive industry for battery production.
4. Used in the oil refining industry.
5. Used in metal processing for pickling and cleaning.
- Nitric Acid (HNO3):
1. Used in the production of fertilizers.
2. Used in the production of explosives.
3. Used as an etchant in the electronics industry.
4. Used in metal processing for etching and cleaning.
5. Used in the production of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals.