“Om Sai Ram”

Sai Academy
(Classes 8th, 9th,10th)
Science Notes
Class :- 10th Acids, Bases & Salts

NCERT Questions
Page No. 1
Q1. You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water, and
the other two contain an acidic solution and a basic solution, respectively. If you are given
only red litmus paper, how will you identify the contents of each test tube?
Ans: If the colour of red litmus does not change then, it is acid. If the colour of red litmus changes
to blue, then it is base. If there is a slight change in the colour of red litmus (such as purple),
then it is distilled water.
• Let us mark the three test tubes as A, B, and C. A drop of the solution in A is put on the red
litmus paper. Same is repeated with solution B and C. If either of them changes colour to
blue, then it is basic.
• Therefore, out of three, one is eliminated. Out of the remaining two, anyone can be acidic or
neutral. Now a drop of basic solution is mixed with a drop of each of the remaining two
solutions separately, and then the nature of the drops of the mixtures is checked.
• If the colour of red litmus turns blue, then the second solution is neutral and if there is no
change in colour, then the second solution is acidic. This is because acidic and basic solutions
neutralize each other. Hence, we can distinguish between the three types of solutions.
Page No. 22
Q1. Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels?
Ans: Curd and the sour substances if kept in brass or copper vessels react with them and form
hydrogen and other harmful substances due to the presence of acid in them. These toxic
substances can cause food poisoning or other damage to health. Due to this reason, curd and
sour substances should not be kept in brass and copper vessels.

Q2. Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal? Illustrate with an
example. How will you test for the presence of this gas?
Ans: Usually, hydrogen gas is liberated when an acid reacts with a metal. For example, let us
take the reaction between zinc and sulphuric acid.
The reaction of zinc granules with dil. H2SO4 to liberate hydrogen gas which burns with a ‘pop’
sound
(i) Take 5 g of zinc granules in a test tube.
(ii) Set the apparatus, as shown in the diagram.
(iii) Add 20 mL of dil. H2SO4 with the help of a thistle funnel.
(iv) Collect the gas evolved in a gas jar, as shown in the figure.
(v) Observe the colour and odour of the gas.
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(vi) Bring a burning matchstick near the
gas jar and record your observations.
Observation: A colourless, odourless gas
is evolved. It burns explosively with a
‘pop’ sound when a burning matchstick is
brought near it, indicating the presence of
hydrogen gas.
Chemical Reaction: Zn(s) + H2SO4(dil) →
ZnSO4(aq) + H2(g)

Q3. Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The gas
evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction if
one of the compounds formed is calcium chloride.
Ans: Calcium carbonate (A), when reacts with hydrochloric acid, produces carbon dioxide gas
with effervescence. Carbon dioxide gas is used as a fire extinguisher. Therefore, it extinguishes
a burning candle. Hence, the metal compound A is calcium carbonate.
Chemical Reaction: CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(s)+ CO2 (g) + H2O(l)
Page No. 25
Q1. Why do HCl, HNO3, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of
compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?
Ans: HCI, HNO3, etc. dissociate into their ions in the presence of water. They form hydrogen
ions (H+). These hydrogen ions combine with H2O to form hydronium ions (H3O+).
The reaction can be given as follows:
HCl → H+ + Cl-
H+ + H2O → H3O+
Similarly, HNO3 → H+ + NO-3
H+ + H2O → H3O+
•Due to this property, HCl and HNO3 show acidic character in aqueous solutions. On the other
hand, alcohol and glucose cannot dissociate in water to form hydrogen ions. Hence, they do
not show acidic character.

Q2. Why does an aqueous solution of acid conduct electricity?

Ans: An aqueous solution of acid conducts electricity because of the presence of charged
particles called ions in it. When dissolved in water, acids dissociate to form ions.
Example:
HCl + H2O → Cl- + H3O-
These ions are responsible for conducting electricity.

Q3. Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper?
Ans:
•We know that H+ ions of acid change the colour of the litmus.
•Dry HCI does not dissociate to give H+ ions.
•Acids dissociate to give ions only in the aqueous medium.
•Since in this case, neither HCI is in the aqueous form nor is the litmus paper wet, so the colour
of the litmus paper does not change.

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Q4. While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and
not water to the acid?
Ans: The process of dissolving an acid in
water is highly exothermic. The acid
must always be added slowly to water
with constant stirring. If water is added
to a concentrated acid, the heat
generated may cause the mixture to
splash out and cause severe burns. The
glass container may also break due to
excessive heating.

Q5. How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) affected when a solution of an acid is
diluted?
Ans:
•When a given amount of acid is added to water, there is a fixed number of hydronium ions per
unit volume of the solution.
•On dilution number of hydronium ions per unit volume decreases and the concentration of
hydronium ions (H3O+) decreases and becomes weak.

Q6. How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH−) affected when excess base is dissolved
in a solution of sodium hydroxide?
Ans:
•The concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) increases when the excess base is dissolved in a
solution of sodium hydroxide.
•The concentration of (OH−) Hydroxide ions increases when the excessive base is added to the
solution of Sodium Hydroxide as the base itself dissociates to give out OH− ions which increase
their concentration per unit volume.
Page No. 28
Q1. You have two solutions, A and B. The pH of solution A is 6, and the pH of solution B is 8.
Which solution has more hydrogen ion concentration? Which of these is acidic, and which one
is basic?
Ans: Solution A has more H+ ion concentration. A pH value of less than 7 indicates the acidic
nature, while greater than 7 indicates the basic nature of a solution. So, solution A is acidic, and
solution B is basic.

Q2. What effect does the concentration of H+(aq) ions have on the nature of the solution?
Ans: The concentration of H+(aq) can have a varied effect on the nature of the solution. With
an increase in H+ ion concentration, the solution becomes more acidic, while a decrease in H+
ion causes an increase in the basicity of the solution.

Q3. Do basic solutions also have H+(aq) ions? If yes, then why are these basic?
Ans: Yes, the basic solution also has H+(aq) ions. However, their concentration is less as
compared to the concentration of OH- ions that makes the solution basic.

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Q4. Under what soil conditions do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields with
quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate)?
Ans: If the farmer finds his soil to be more acidic, then to increase the basicity of the soil, he
should treat the soil of his field with quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium
hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate).
Page No. 33
Q1. What is the common name of the compound Ca(OCl)2?
Ans: Bleaching Powder

Bleaching powder structural formula

Q2. Name the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder?
Ans: Dry slaked lime [Ca(OH)2].

Q3. Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water.
Ans: Washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O)
Q4. What will happen if a solution of sodium hydro carbonate is heated? Give the equation
of the reaction involved.
Ans: When sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated, then sodium carbonate and water are formed
along with carbon dioxide gas evolution.

Q5. Write an equation to show the reaction between Plaster of Paris and water.
Ans:

Exercise
Q1. A solution turns red litmus blue, its pH is likely to be
(a) 1 (c) 5
(b) 4 (d) 10
Ans: (d)
Solution: pH = 10, bases turn red litmus blue, and their pH is more than 7.
Q2. A solution reacts with crushed egg-shells to give a gas that turns lime-water milky. The
solution contains
(a) NaCl (c) LiCl
(b) HCl (d) KCl
Ans: (b)
Solution: Eggshells are made up of CaCO3 which reacts with HCl to form CO2, and this CO2 turns
lime water milky.
Example: CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(dil)→ CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) → CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)

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Q3. 10 mL of a solution of NaOH is found to be completely neutralised by 8 ml of a given solution
of HCl. If we take 20 ml of the same solution of NaOH, the amount of HCl solution (the same
solution as before) required to neutralise it will be
(a) 4 mL (c) 12 mL
(b) 8mL (d) 16 mL
Ans: (d)
Solution:
∴ 10 mL of NaOH will neutralise
= 8 mL of HCI.
= 20 mL of NaOH will neutralise
= 8/10 x 20 = 16 mL.

Q4. Which one of the following types of medicines are used for treating indigestion?
(a) Antibiotic (c) Antacid
(b) Analgesic (d) Antiseptic
Ans: (c)
Solution:
•Antacids are used to neutralise hyperacidity in the stomach due to excess of HCI which causes
indigestion.
•Antibiotics are used to fight infections.
•Analgesics are pain killer while antiseptics prevent the growth of bacteria and other micro-
organisms on wounds.

Q5. Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when:
(a) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc granules.
(b) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium ribbon.
(c) Dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder.
(d) Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with iron filings.
Ans:
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

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Q6. Compounds such as alcohols and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorized as
acids. Describe an activity to prove it.
Ans:
•Fix two iron nails on a cork and place this
cork in a beaker.
•Connect the nails to the two terminals of
a 6-volt battery through a switch and a
bulb, as shown in the figure.
•Now add some dilute hydrochloric acid in
the beaker and switch on the current.
Take the observation.
•Repeat the experiment separately with
alcohol and glucose solution.
Observation: You will observe that in the
case of dilute hydrochloric acid bulb glows,
but when glucose or alcohol solution is
taken in the beaker, the bulb does not
glow.
Conclusion: The aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid conducts electricity due to the presence
of types of charged particles: Hydrogen ions and chloride ions. Unlike acids glucose and ethanol
do not ionise in an aqueous solution, i.e. they do not give H+ ions; therefore, they cannot
conduct electricity. Thus, glucose and ethanol are not categorized as acids.

Q7. Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rainwater does?
Ans: Following are the reasons-:
•Distilled water does not contain any ionic compounds in it.
•Whereas rainwater has a lot, more compounds.
•Rainwater has dissolved acidic gas such as carbon dioxide from the air and that forms carbonic
acid. This means that it has hydrogen ions and carbonate ions. Therefore, with the presence
of acids, rainwater can conduct electricity.

Q8. Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water?
Ans: It is because acids do not dissociate into ions in the absence of water. But when an acid is
dissolved in water, it forms hydrogen ions and hence, shows acidic behaviour.

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Q9. Five solutions A, B, C, D and E when tested with universal indicator showed pH as 4, 1, 11,
7 and 9, respectively. Which solution is
(a) Neutral?
(b) Strongly alkaline?
(c) Strongly acidic?
(d) Weakly acidic?
(e) Weakly alkaline?
Arrange the pH in increasing order of
hydrogen-ion concentration.
Ans: pH level from acidic to basic
(a) Neutral → Solution D with pH 7
(b) Strongly alkaline → Solution C with pH 11
(c) Strongly acidic → Solution B with pH 1
(d) Weakly acidic → Solution A with pH 4
(e) Weakly alkaline → Solution E with pH 9
•The pH can be arranged in the increasing order of the concentration of hydrogen ions as: 11 <
9 < 7 < 4 < 1.
Q10. Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric acid
(HCl) is added to test tube A, while acetic acid (CH3COOH) is added to test tube B. In which test
tube will the fizzing occur more vigorously and why?
Ans: Fizzing occurs more vigorously in hydrochloric acid (A) than in acetic acid (B) because HCl
is a stronger acid than acetic acid. HCl dissociates completely into H+ and Cl- ions completely
whereas acetic acid being weak acid partially dissociates into its ions.

Q11. Fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd? Explain
your answer.
Ans: Milk contains carbohydrate lactose. When milk sets into curd, lactose gets converted into
an acid called lactic acid. Due to the formation of lactic acid, the pH of milk falls below 6.

Q12. A milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk.
(a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline?
(b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd?
Ans:
(a) The milkman shifts the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline because, in alkaline
conditions, milk does not set as curd easily.
(b) Since this milk is slightly basic than usual milk, acids produced to set the curd are neutralized
by the base. Therefore, it takes a longer time for the curd to set.

Q13. Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture-proof container. Explain why?

Ans: It will absorb water to form gypsum which sets into a hard solid mass. This will make Plaster
of Paris useless after some time.
Example:

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Q14. What is a neutralization reaction? Give two examples.
Ans: A reaction in which an acid and base react with each other to give salt and water is termed
as neutralization reaction.
Example:
NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) +H2O(l)
H2SO4(aq) + 2NH4OH(aq) → (NH4)2SO4(aq) + 2H2O

Q15. Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda.
Ans: Uses of Washing Soda-:
(i) It is used in the manufacture of glass, soap,
paper, and other sodium compounds like
borax, etc.
(ii) It is used in softening hard water.
Uses of Baking Soda-:
(i) It is used as an antacid to neutralise the
excess of acidity (hyper-acidity) in the
stomach.
(ii) It is an ingredient of baking powder that
contains NaHCO3 and tartaric acid.
(iii) It is used in making soda acid fire
extinguishers.

Extra Questions
Q.1. What is an acid?
Ans. An acid is a hydrogen-containing chemical compound which, when dissolved in water, gives
hydrogen ion (H+) or hydrated hydrogen ion (H2O.H+) or hydronium ion (H3O+). They are sour
in taste.
Example: HCL ⇌ H+ + Cl-

Q.2. What are bases and alkalis?

Ans. Bases ionise to give OH– ions in an aqueous solution. Bases may be soluble or insoluble in
water. The soluble bases are called alkalies. Thus, all alkalies are bases but all bases are not
alkalies. Bases have a bitter taste and soapy touch.
Examples: NaOH and Cu (OH)2 both are bases, but, since NaOH is soluble in water, it is an alkali.
On the other hand, since Cu (OH)2 is insoluble in water, it is not an alkali.

Q.3. Define pH.

Ans. pH is the concept of measuring the
concentration of hydrogen ions (H+
(aq)) in a particular solution., The p in
pH stands for 'potenz' in German,
meaning power.
On the pH scale we can measure pH
from "0" (very acidic) to 14 (very
alkaline).

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Q.4. What are the practical applications of neutralisation reactions?
Ans. (i) Being alkaline in
nature, cold milk is used
to neutralise the acidity
produced by HCl present
in the gastric juice in the
stomach.
(ii) Astronauts in space
ships use this reaction to
neutralise the dangerous
levels of CO2.
(iii) Farmers add slaked
lime (calcium hydroxide)
to reduce acidity of soil.
(iv) Sting of ants and bees contains formic acid. This can be neutralised by rubbing soap, which
contains free sodium hydroxide.
(v) Persons suffering from acidity are given antacid tablets, containing magnesium hydroxide
which neutralises excess HCl produced, in stomach. Alternately, they are advised to sip cold
milk, which neutralises HCl.

Q.5. Why the salts solutions of strong acid and strong alkali are neutral?
Ans. Let us take the example of potassium sulphate, which is a salt of strong acid [sulphuric acid]
and strong base [potassium hydroxide solution].

From the above equation, it is clear that water is always feebly ionised and hence the solution
of potassium sulphate is neutral in nature.

Q.6. What is the universal indicator?

Ans. Universal indicators are usually mixtures of several indicators. An universal indicator is a
solution, which undergoes several colour changes over a wide range of pH. The colour is used
to ‘indicate’ pH directly.

Q.7. Why common indicators cannot determine pH value of a solution?

Ans. Common indicators, such as litmus, methyl orange and phenolphthalein can easily tell us
whether a solution is acidic or alkaline, but they cannot tell us about how much a given acidic
solution is stronger than another acidic solution. It means they cannot tell us the pH value of
different acidic or alkaline solutions.
In case of litmus, we cannot tell about pH values of 5,6 and 7. Similarly, in case of methyl orange
pH values between 3 and 8 will not be very accurate.

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Q.8. What are the general characteristics of acids?
Ans. The general characteristics of acids are-:
•They have a sour taste.
•They turn blue litmus to red and methyl orange to red.
•They react with active metals to give hydrogen.
•They decompose carbonates to produced carbon dioxide and water.
•They turn blue litmus to red.
•They react with metals to give hydrogen.
Zn + H2SO4 → ZnSO4 + H2
•They react with bases to form salt and water (Neutralization reaction).
HCL + NaOH → NaCL + H2O
•They decompose carbonates to produced carbon dioxide and water.
Na2CO3 + 2HCL → 2NaCL + H2O + CO2.

Q.9. What is called deliquescent? Give examples.

Ans. Compounds that take up enough water from the air to dissolve in the water they have
taken up are called deliquescent.
Example: Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

Q.10. Write the uses of chlorines.

Ans. The uses of chlorines are-:
•Chlorine is used in the production of bleaching powder.
•Chlorine is used for making solvents for dry cleaning.
•Chlorine is used to sterilise drinking water supply, and the water in swimming pools.
It is used in the production of hydrochloric acid.

MCQs
1. An aqueous solution turns red litmus solution blue. Excess addition of which of the
following solution would reverse the change ?
a. Baking powder c. Ammonium hydroxide solution
b. Lime d. Hydrochloric acid

2. NaOH is obtained by electrolysis of

a. Aq. solution of NaCl c. Aq. NaHCO3
b. Aq. Na2CO3 d. Molten NaCl

3. One of the constituents of baking powder is sodium hydrogen carbonate, the other
constituent is
a. hydrochloric acid c. acetic acid
b. tartaric acid d. sulphuric acid

4. Lime water reacts with chlorine to form

a. CaCl2 c. Ca(CIO3)2
b. CaOCl2 d. CaO2Cl2

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5. A sample of soil is mixed with water and allowed to settle. The clear supernatant solution
turns the pH paper yellowish-orange. Which of the following would change the colour of this
pH paper to greenish-blue ?
a. Lemon juice c. Common salt
b. Vinegar d. An antacid

6. Ag2S reacts with H2SO4 to form

a. AgSO4 c. Ag2O+ H2S
b. Ag2SO4 + H2S d. AgOH + H2S

7. Which of the following statements are true for acids ?

a. Bitter and change red litmus to blue. c. Sour and change blue litmus to red.
b. Sour and change red litmus to blue. d. Bitter and change blue litmus to red.

8. pH of H2O is
a. 7 c. 9
b. 8 d. 10

9. Which of the following are present in a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid ?
a. H3O+ + Cl- c. Cl- + OH-
b. H3O+ + CH- d. Unionised HCl

10. NaHCO3 is formed by the reaction of

a. NaOH + H2CO3 c. Na2CO3 + HCl
b. NaCl + H2CO3 d. NaOH + Na2CO3
Answer Sheet
1. Ans. – d. 6. Ans. – b.
2. Ans. – a. 7. Ans. – c.
3. Ans. – b. 8. Ans. – a.
4. Ans. – b. 9. Ans. – a.
5. Ans. – d. 10. Ans. – c.

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 Assertions & Reason
1. Direction: In the Following Questions, A Statement of Assertion (A) Is Followed by A
Statement of Reason (R). Mark The Correct Choice As:
Assertion : In water, Hydrochloric acid behaves as a weak monobasic acid.
Reason : In water, Hydrochloric acid acts as a proton donor.

a. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
b. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
c. Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
d. Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
e. Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans. – d.
Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true. HCl (Hydrochloric) is a strong acid.
HCl ⇋ H+ + Cl-
It donate proton in water.
2. Assertion : The acidity of Mg(OH)2 is two.
Reason : The acidity of a base is equal to the number of hydroxyl ions.

a. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
b. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
c. Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
d. Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
e. Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans. – a.

3. Assertion : The aqueous solutions of glucose and alcohol do not show acidic character.
Reason : Aqueous solutions of glucose and alcohol do not give H + ions.

a. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
b. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
c. Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
d. Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
e. Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans. – a.

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4. Assertion : When zinc is added to dilute hydrochloric acid, hydrogen is given off.
Reason : Hydrogen chloride molecules contain hydrochloric acid and hydrogen atoms.

a. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
b. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
c. Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
d. Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
e. Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans. – b.

5. Assertion : Gas bubbles are observed when sodium carbonate is added to dilute hydrochloride
acid.
Reason : Carbon dioxide is given off in the reaction.

a. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
b. Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
assertion (A).
c. Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
d. Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
e. Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Ans. – a.

Case Based Questions

1. Read the passage and answer the following questions.
Suhana wanted her house to be white washed. She bought 10 kg of quicklime from the market
and dissolved it in 30 L of water. On adding lime to water, she observed that the water started
boiling even when it was not being heated.

Q.1 Name the product when water is added to quicklime.

a. Calcium oxide c. Calcium dioxide
b. Calcium hydroxide d. Calcium carbonate
Ans. – b.
Q.2 The correct formula for calcium hydroxide is:
a. Ca(OH) c. Ca(OH)2
b. Ca(OH2) d. Ca2OH2
Ans. – c.
Q.3 The common name for quick lime is:
a. Calcium hydroxide c. Calcium dioxide
b. Calcium oxide d. Calcium carbonate
Ans. – b.

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2. Read the passage and answer the following questions:
Sanjana while preparing the cake used baking soda in small amounts. It helps to make the
cake soft and spongy. An aqueous solution of baking soda also turns red litmus blue. It is also
used in soda acid extinguishers.
Q.1 Name the gas produced by the reaction of baking soda and acid which helps as fire
extinguisher:
a. Carbon monoxide c. Hydrogen
b. Carbon dioxide d. oxygen
Ans. – b.
Q.2 The pH of baking soda solution is:
a. more than 7 c. equal to 7
b. less than 7 d. less than 7 but more than 3
Ans. – a.
Q.3 What is the chemical name for baking soda?
a. Sodium carbonate c. calcium carbonate
b. calcium bicarbonate d. sodium bicarbonate
Ans. – d.

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