{"id":3488,"date":"2025-07-22T10:07:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/odeacademy.in\/?p=3488"},"modified":"2026-03-16T16:45:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:45:09","slug":"acids-bases-and-salts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/acids-bases-and-salts\/","title":{"rendered":"Acids, Bases and Salts \u2013 Chemistry | General Science"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Acids, Bases and Salts<\/h4>\n<div class=\"CM8kHf j86kh\" data-hveid=\"CAkQAQ\">\n<div data-expression=\"frac{1}{v} + frac{1}{u} = frac{1}{f}\">\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>acids and bases neutralize each other.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Acid + Base \u2192 Salt + Water<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acids taste sour and turn blue litmus red, while bases taste bitter and turn red litmus blue.<\/li>\n<li>acids release H\u207a ions while bases release OH\u207b ions in solution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Indicators of Acids and Bases<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Substances like turmeric, litmus, red cabbage, beetroot and flower petals act as natural<\/li>\n<li>Synthetic indicators include phenolphthalein and methyl orange.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1009\">Olfactory indicators<\/strong> (like vanilla and onion) change smell in acidic or basic conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Acids and Bases interactions with metallic and non-metallic oxides<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acids + Metals \u2192 Salt + Hydrogen gas (metallic oxides are <strong data-start=\"620\" data-end=\"639\">basic in nature<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"643\" data-end=\"674\">Non-metallic Oxides + Bases<\/strong> \u2192 Salt + Water. Hence, non-metallic oxides are <strong data-start=\"722\" data-end=\"742\">acidic in nature<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Acids + Carbonates \u2192 CO\u2082 gas (turns lime water milky)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1598\" data-end=\"1646\"><strong>Acids and Bases interactions with water<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only aqueous (water) solutions of acids and bases can <strong data-start=\"958\" data-end=\"981\">conduct electricity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1122\">Acids react with water exothermically<\/strong>. The process must be done slowly with caution.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1172\" data-end=\"1184\">Dilution<\/strong> decreases the concentration of H\u207a or OH\u207b ions per unit volume.<\/li>\n<li>All acids produce <strong data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"785\">H\u207a ions (or H\u2083O\u207a)<\/strong> in water. Bases produce <strong data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"822\">OH\u207b ions<\/strong> in water. These ions are responsible for their <strong data-start=\"870\" data-end=\"900\">acidic or basic properties<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>pH Values of Substances<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Substances like lemon juice, tomato juice, and gastric juice are acidic.<\/li>\n<li>NaOH is strongly basic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong> Importance of pH in Everyday Life<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong data-start=\"963\" data-end=\"986\">Plants and Animals:<\/strong> Survive within a narrow pH range (7.0 to 7.8).<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1050\">Acid Rain:<\/strong> Has pH &lt; 5.6 and harms aquatic life.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1090\" data-end=\"1102\">Soil pH:<\/strong> Affects plant growth. Ideal pH must be tested.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1152\" data-end=\"1173\">Digestive System:<\/strong> Stomach acid helps digestion; <strong data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1216\">antacids<\/strong> (like Milk of Magnesia) relieve acidity.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1260\" data-end=\"1276\">Tooth Decay:<\/strong> Occurs if mouth pH &lt; 5.5. Toothpaste (basic) helps prevent it.<\/li>\n<li><strong data-start=\"1342\" data-end=\"1363\">Chemical Defense:<\/strong> Bee stings and nettle stings are acidic (methanoic acid); <strong data-start=\"1422\" data-end=\"1437\">baking soda<\/strong> neutralizes it.<\/li>\n<li>Creating a <strong data-start=\"1125\" data-end=\"1156\">soda-acid fire extinguisher<\/strong> using sodium hydrogen carbonate and dilute sulfuric acid to produce CO\u2082, which extinguishes fire.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Naturally Occurring Acids<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Vinegar \u2192 Acetic acid<\/li>\n<li>Orange, Lemon \u2192 Citric acid<\/li>\n<li>Tamarind \u2192 Tartaric acid<\/li>\n<li>Tomato \u2192 Oxalic acid<\/li>\n<li>Ant sting, Nettle sting \u2192 Methanoic acid<\/li>\n<li>Curd \u2192 Lactic acid<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"246\">Salts<\/strong> are formed from acids and bases, pH depends on strength of acid and base used:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong acid + strong base \u2192 Neutral salt (pH ~ 7)<\/li>\n<li>Strong acid + weak base \u2192 Acidic salt (pH &lt; 7)<\/li>\n<li>Weak acid + strong base \u2192 Basic salt (pH &gt; 7)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Chemicals from Common Salt<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a neutral salt formed from HCl and NaOH. Rock salt is obtained from sea water or underground deposits (called brine).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">2NaCl(aq) + 2H\u2082O(l) \u2192 2NaOH(aq) + Cl\u2082(g) + H\u2082(g)<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1132\"><strong data-start=\"1099\" data-end=\"1130\">Bleaching Powder (Ca(OCl)\u2082)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1132\">Ca(OH)\u2082 + Cl\u2082 \u2192 Ca(OCl)\u2082 + CaCl\u2082 + H\u2082O<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1132\"><strong>Uses<\/strong>: Bleaching cotton, paper, laundry. Disinfecting water. Oxidising agent.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1371\"><strong data-start=\"1345\" data-end=\"1369\">Baking Soda (NaHCO\u2083)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1371\">NaCl + H\u2082O + CO\u2082 + NH\u2083 \u2192 NH\u2084Cl + NaHCO\u2083<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1371\">2NaHCO\u2083 \u2192 Na\u2082CO\u2083 + H\u2082O + CO\u2082<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\" data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1371\"><strong>Uses:<\/strong> Baking powder (with tartaric acid) for soft cakes. Antacid (relieves acidity). Fire extinguishers.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1686\"><strong data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1684\">Washing Soda (Na\u2082CO\u2083\u00b710H\u2082O)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Na\u2082CO\u2083 + 10H\u2082O \u2192 Na\u2082CO\u2083\u00b710H\u2082O<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1687\" data-end=\"1872\">\n<li>Made by recrystallizing sodium carbonate.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1687\" data-end=\"1778\">Uses: Cleaning agent, glass\/soap\/paper industries. Removes hardness from water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong> Crystals<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Crystals like <strong data-start=\"1958\" data-end=\"1972\">CuSO\u2084\u00b75H\u2082O<\/strong> contain <strong data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2009\">water of crystallisation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>On heating, water is lost, and <strong data-start=\"2044\" data-end=\"2060\">colour fades<\/strong> (blue \u2192 white).<\/li>\n<li>Adding water restores original colour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2119\" data-end=\"2155\"><strong data-start=\"2127\" data-end=\"2153\">Plaster of Paris (POP), <\/strong>which is calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO\u2084\u00b7\u00bdH\u2082O), used for setting fractured bones. When mixed with water, it reverts to <strong data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"453\">gypsum<\/strong> (CaSO\u2084\u00b72H\u2082O).<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2156\" data-end=\"2307\">\n<li data-start=\"2156\" data-end=\"2244\">\n<p data-start=\"2158\" data-end=\"2198\">Made by heating <strong data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2197\">gypsum (CaSO\u2084\u00b72H\u2082O)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"2158\" data-end=\"2198\">CaSO\u2084\u00b72H\u2082O \u2192 CaSO\u2084\u00b7\u00bdH\u2082O + 1\u00bdH\u2082O<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Used<\/strong> for plastering, making casts, and decorative materials.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Related Links<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>General Science : Questions for Competitive Exams<\/strong> \ud83d\udd17<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/general-science\/\">General Science<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/study-materials\/\">Study Materials<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/current-affairs\/\">Current Affairs<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/practice-questions\/\">Practice Questions<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Acids, Bases and Salts acids and bases neutralize each other. Acid + Base \u2192 Salt + Water Acids taste sour and turn blue litmus red, while bases taste bitter and turn red litmus blue. acids release H\u207a ions while bases release OH\u207b ions in solution. Indicators of Acids and Bases Substances like turmeric, litmus, red [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4146,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[138],"class_list":["post-3488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-science","tag-general-science-notes"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3488"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3501,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3488\/revisions\/3501"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thequickknowledge.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}