).
Chemistry Chapter 2: Acids, Bases, and Salts - Detailed Reaction Sheet
This section covers the essential chemical reactions, formations, usages, and detailed properties of
Acids, Bases, and Salts from NCERT Class 10 Chapter 2.
1. Acids and Bases Reactions
1.1 Reaction with Metals
General: Acid + Metal ==> Salt + Hydrogen Gas.
1. Zinc granules reacting with Dilute Sulphuric Acid
o Reaction: Zn (Zinc) + H2SO4 (Sulphuric Acid) ==> ZnSO4 (Zinc Sulphate) + H2
(Hydrogen Gas).
o Details: Hydrogen gas is confirmed by the 'Pop' sound test when a burning splinter is
brought near the gas bubble. Zinc Sulphate is the salt formed.
o Board Exam Importance: Very common experiment. Question: "How is the presence
of hydrogen gas tested?"
2. Sodium reacting with Hydrochloric Acid
o Reaction: 2Na (Sodium) + 2HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) ==> 2NaCl (Sodium Chloride) +
H2 (Hydrogen Gas).
o Details: Highly Exothermic reaction. Sodium is a highly reactive metal.
General: Base + Metal ==> Salt + Hydrogen Gas (Note: Only some reactive metals like Zinc, Aluminum
react with strong bases).
3. Zinc reacting with Sodium Hydroxide (Base)
o Reaction: 2NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) + Zn (Zinc) ==> Na2ZnO2 (Sodium Zincate) +
H2 (Hydrogen Gas).
o Details: Only strong bases like NaOH react with specific metals. Sodium Zincate is
the salt formed.
1.2 Reaction with Metal Carbonates and Metal Hydrogencarbonates
General: Acid + Metal Carbonate ==> Salt + Carbon Dioxide + Water.
1. Reaction of Sodium Carbonate with Hydrochloric Acid
o Reaction: Na2CO3 (Sodium Carbonate) + 2HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) ==> 2NaCl
(Sodium Chloride) + CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) + H2O (Water).
o Details: Carbon Dioxide gas is evolved with effervescence.
2. Reaction of Sodium Hydrogencarbonate (Baking Soda) with Tartaric Acid (in baking powder)
o Reaction: NaHCO3 (Sodium Hydrogencarbonate) + H+ (from Acid) ==> Salt + CO2
(Carbon Dioxide) + H2O (Water).
o Details: This reaction releases CO2 which makes bread/cake rise.
Test for Carbon Dioxide Gas
• Reaction: Ca(OH)2 (Lime Water/Calcium Hydroxide) + CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) ==> CaCO3
(Calcium Carbonate) + H2O (Water).
o Details: CO2 turns lime water milky due to the formation of white precipitate of
Calcium Carbonate.
• Passing excess CO2
o Reaction: CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate) + CO2 (excess) + H2O (Water) ==> Ca(HCO3)2
(Calcium Hydrogencarbonate).
o Details: The milkiness disappears because the insoluble Calcium Carbonate reacts
to form soluble Calcium Hydrogencarbonate.
o Board Exam Importance: Crucial test, frequently asked in two parts (turning milky
and then clear).
1.3 Reaction of Acids and Bases (Neutralization)
General: Acid + Base ==> Salt + Water.
1. Reaction of Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide
o Reaction: HCl (Acid) + NaOH (Base) ==> NaCl (Salt) + H2O (Water).
o Details: This is a Neutralization reaction and a Double Displacement reaction. It is
Exothermic (releases heat).
o Type of Reaction: Double Displacement and Neutralization.
o Board Exam Importance: Defines neutralization and is the standard example.
1.4 Reaction with Metal Oxides (Basic Oxides)
General: Acid + Metal Oxide ==> Salt + Water.
1. Reaction of Copper Oxide with Hydrochloric Acid
o Reaction: CuO (Copper Oxide) + 2HCl (Hydrochloric Acid) ==> CuCl2 (Copper(II)
Chloride) + H2O (Water).
o Details: Copper Oxide is black. The solution becomes blue-green due to the
formation of Copper(II) Chloride. Metal oxides are Basic Oxides.
1.5 Reaction with Non-metal Oxides (Acidic Oxides)
General: Base + Non-metal Oxide ==> Salt + Water.
1. Reaction of Calcium Hydroxide with Carbon Dioxide
o Reaction: Ca(OH)2 (Calcium Hydroxide/Lime Water) + CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) ==>
CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate) + H2O (Water).
o Details: Carbon Dioxide is a Non-metal Oxide, it acts as an Acidic Oxide. This
reaction proves the acidic nature of non-metal oxides.
2. Water and Ionization
Acids in Water: Acids produce Hydronium ions ($H3O+$) or Hydrogen ions ($H+$) in water.
1. Ionization of HCl
o Reaction: HCl (Acid) + H2O (Water) ==> H3O+ (Hydronium ion) + Cl-
o Simplified: HCl (Acid) ==> H+ + Cl-
Bases in Water: Bases produce Hydroxide ions ($OH-$) in water.
2. Ionization of NaOH
- Reaction: NaOH (Base) + H2O (Water) ==> Na+ + OH-
Dilution: The process of mixing acid or base with water is highly Exothermic. Always add acid slowly
to water, not water to acid, to control the heat released and prevent splashing.
3. Important Salts and Chemicals
3.1 Common Salt (NaCl) - Raw Material
Formation: By neutralization of HCl and NaOH (as shown in 1.3.1).
Uses: Used in food, and as a starting material for making many important chemicals like NaOH,
Bleaching Powder, Baking Soda, Washing Soda.
3.2 Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) - Caustic Soda
Formation: Chlor-Alkali Process (Electrolysis of Brine/NaCl solution).
• Reaction: 2NaCl (Brine) + 2H2O (Water) + Electricity ==> 2NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide) + Cl2
(Chlorine Gas) + H2 (Hydrogen Gas).
• Details: Chlorine gas is produced at the anode, Hydrogen gas at the cathode, and Sodium
Hydroxide solution is formed near the cathode.
• Uses: Making soaps/detergents, paper, artificial fibers.
• Board Exam Importance: Frequently asked process (diagram, products, uses).
3.3 Bleaching Powder (CaOCl2)
Chemical Name: Calcium Oxychloride.
Formation: Reaction of Chlorine gas (from Chlor-Alkali process) with dry Slaked Lime.
• Reaction: Ca(OH)2 (Slaked Lime) + Cl2 (Chlorine Gas) ==> CaOCl2 (Bleaching Powder) + H2O
(Water).
• Uses: Bleaching cotton/linen, as an oxidizing agent, and for disinfecting drinking water.
3.4 Baking Soda (NaHCO3)
Chemical Name: Sodium Hydrogen carbonate.
Formation (Solvay Process simplified):
• Reaction: NaCl + H2O + CO2 + NH3 ==> NH4Cl (Ammonium Chloride) + NaHCO3 (Baking
Soda).
• Uses: Cooking (as it releases CO2 when heated/mixed with acid), as an antacid (neutralizes
excess acid in stomach), in soda-acid fire extinguishers.
Heating Baking Soda:
• Reaction: 2NaHCO3 (Baking Soda) + Heat ==> Na2CO3 (Sodium Carbonate) + H2O (Water) +
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide).
• Details: Decomposes on heating to produce Sodium Carbonate and CO2, used in baking.
3.5 Washing Soda (Na2CO3 $\cdot$ 10H2O)
Chemical Name: Sodium Carbonate decahydrate.
Formation: Recrystallization of Sodium Carbonate (obtained by heating Baking Soda).
1. Heating Baking Soda (Calcination): 2NaHCO3 ==> Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
2. Recrystallization: Na2CO3 (Sodium Carbonate) + 10H2O (Water) ==> Na2CO3 $\cdot$
10H2O (Washing Soda).
• Uses: Cleaning agent, removing permanent hardness of water, in the manufacture of glass,
soap, and paper, and in making Borax.
• Details: Water of Crystallization: These 10 molecules of water are essential for the crystal
structure but are not wet.
3.6 Plaster of Paris (PoP - CaSO4 $\cdot$ 1/2H2O)
Chemical Name: Calcium Sulphate Hemihydrate.
Formation: Heating Gypsum.
• Reaction: CaSO4 $\cdot$ 2H2O (Gypsum) + Heat (at 373 K/100 C) ==> CaSO4 $\cdot$
1/2H2O (Plaster of Paris) + 1 1/2 H2O (Water).
• Details: Gypsum loses three-fourths of its water of crystallization. Heating above 373 K (100
C) converts it to Dead Burnt Plaster (anhydrous $CaSO4$), which doesn't set.
• Uses: Used by doctors for setting fractured bones, making toys, decorative materials, and
smooth surfaces.
Setting of PoP:
• Reaction: CaSO4 $\cdot$ 1/2H2O (Plaster of Paris) + 1 1/2 H2O (Water) ==> CaSO4 $\cdot$
2H2O (Gypsum).
• Details: PoP sets into a hard solid mass (Gypsum) when mixed with water.
• Board Exam Importance: Very frequent questions on the formation, setting, and chemical
formulas of Gypsum and PoP.
4. Summary of Water of Crystallization
Substance Formula (Simplified) Water of Crystallization (Hydrated form)
Copper Sulphate CuSO4 CuSO4. 5H2O (Blue Vitriol - Blue color)
Ferrous Sulphate FeSO4 FeSO4 . 7H2O (Green Vitriol - Green color)
Washing Soda Na2CO3 Na2CO3 .10H2O
Gypsum CaSO4 CaSO4.2H2O
Plaster of Paris (PoP) CaSO4 CaSO4 . 1/2H2O