Chapter 14 – Acids and alkalis (part I)
1. An acid A with formula CH3COOH is the active ingredient in commercial vinegar.
(a) . .
Suggest Acetic acid
a name for the acid A. ____________________________________________
(b) Monobasic
State the basicity of acid A. _______________________________________________
(c) (i) State FOUR observable changes when a magnesium ribbon reacts with an aqueous
solution of acid A.
The magnesium ribbon dissolves, colourless gas bubbles form,
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test tube turns warm, white precipitate forms
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(ii) Write a chemical equation for the reaction of magnesium and the dilute aqueous
solution acid A.
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Mg + 2 CH3COOH = Mg(CH3COO)2 + H2
(d) A dilute aqueous solution of acid A is allowed to react with sodium carbonate solution, and
effervescence occurs.
(i) Explain why there is effervescence.
When sodium carbonate solution is placed in acid A, carbon dioxide
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gas will form
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(ii) Write an equation for the reaction of acid A and sodium carbonate in aqueous solution.
2 CH3COOH + Na2CO3 = 2 CH3COONa + H2O + CO2
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2. Baking powder for making bread is usually a mixture of a solid acid, HX, and sodium
hydrogencarbonate. In making bread, water and a little baking powder are added to flour. The
flour paste is then heated in an oven. A gas Y is formed in the baking process which escapes
from the dough and eventually a ‘spongy’ bread is formed.
(a) Carbon dioxide
Name the gas Y. ________________________________________________________
(b) Suggest a chemical test to identify gas Y. Explain the observation of the test and write an
equation (with state symbols) for the reaction involved in the test.
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Bubble the gas formed into limewater, a white precipitate will form
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CO2(g) + Ca(OH)2(aq) = CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
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(c) Explain the role of water added to the flour for the production of gas Y.
Water is used to dissolves the solid HX to allow the HX molecules to
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ionise to form hydrogen ions, which is responsible for the acidic
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properties of the aqueous form of the acid. The hydrogen ions are then
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used to react with the carbonate ions in sodium carbonate to form
carbon dioxide gas and water
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(d) Write an ionic equation for the reaction of the acid, HX, and sodium hydrogencarbonate in
the flour paste.
CO3 2- + 2H+ -> CO2 + H2O
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(e) Heating solid sodium hydrogencarbonate can also help to generate gas Y in the bread-
making process. Write an equation for this process.
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4 NaHCO3 + O2 = 4 CO2 + 2 H2O + 4 NaO
Chapter 14 – Acids and alkalis (part II)
3. A few drops of ammonia solution are added separately into the following metal ion solutions.
K+(aq), Mg2+(aq), Fe2+(aq), Cu2+(aq)
(a) Which metal ion(s) will form coloured precipitate(s)? Name and state the colour of the
precipitate(s).
Fe2+ Dirty green. Cu2+ Pale Blue
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(b) Which metal ion(s) will form white precipitate(s)? Write equation(s) for the formation of
the white precipitate(s).
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Mg2+ Mg2+ + 2OH- -> Mg(OH)2
(c) What ion in aqueous ammonia solution is responsible for the formation of the white and
coloured precipitates? Write an equation for the formation of this ion in ammonia solution.
OH- NH3 + H2O <-> NH4+ + OH-
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(d) Suggest a common use of ammonia in daily life.
To make soap
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4. Limewater is a saturated aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide. It is an alkaline solution which
can be used as a medicine to cure stomach upset in babies.
(a) Suggest how limewater is prepared in the laboratory from solid calcium hydroxide.
Calcium hydroxide is dissolved into water, it is then filtered, the filtrate is
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limewater
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(b) Name the ion which is responsible for the alkaline properties of limewater.
OH-
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(c) When limewater is warmed with ammonium nitrate, a salt, ammonia gas and water are
formed. Write an equation for the reaction involved.
Ca(OH)2 + 2NH4NO3 -> Ca(NO3)2 + 2H2O + 2NH3
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(d) What would be observed when the following dilute aqueous solution is mixed with
limewater? Write an ionic equation for the reaction involved.
(i) sodium carbonate
White precipitate forms
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Na2CO3 + Ca(OH)2 -> NaOH + CaCO3
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(ii) copper(II) nitrate
Pale blue precipitate forms
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Cu(NO3)2 + Ca(OH)2 -> Cu(OH)2 + Ca(NO3)2
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5. The table below indicates some characteristic properties of three concentrated acid: nitric acid,
sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Concentrated acid A B C
a colourless liquid
a colourless liquid
Characteristic an oily non-volatile which is usually
which gives out
properties colourless liquid stored in a brown
white fumes
reagent bottle
(a) Identify the concentrated acids A, B and C.
A: Hydrochloric acid B: Sulphuric acid. C: Nitric acid
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(b) What is the common hazard these acids?
They are corrosive
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(c) If concentrated acid C is not stored in a brown reagent bottle, it will become yellow easily.
Explain this phenomenon with the help of an equation.
Decomposition of the acid speeds up with light
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4HNO3 -> 2H2O + 4NO2 + O2
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(d) Suggest the immediate treatment if some concentrated acid is spilt on the skin.
Place the contacted skin under running water
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