Properties of Acids & Bases

Questions and Answers

What products are formed during the neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide?

Sodium chloride and water are formed.

Define the term 'heat of neutralization'.

It is the amount of heat released when one gram equivalent of an acid or a base is completely neutralized.

List two uses of acids and their applications.

Acids are used for food preservation and eye-wash solutions.

What is acid rain and what pH level does it typically have?

Acid rain is precipitation with a pH level less than 5.6. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of sulfur dioxide in the formation of acid rain.

Sulfur dioxide is released from burning fossil fuels and reacts with water vapor to form sulfurous acid. Signup and view all the answers

Name two acids that contribute to the acidity of acid rain.

Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃) contribute to acid rain acidity. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the impact of acid rain on soil fertility.

Acid rain depletes soil nutrients, increasing soil acidity and reducing fertility. Signup and view all the answers

How does the combustion of fossil fuels lead to nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere?

Nitrogen combines with oxygen at high temperatures during combustion to form nitrogen oxides. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neutralization

Neutralization occurs when H+ ions from an acid react with OH- ions from a base, producing salt and water.
The reaction between HCl and NaOH exemplifies neutralization, where H+ from HCl combines with OH- from NaOH to form water (H2O).
Heat of neutralization refers to the heat released when one gram equivalent of an acid or base is fully neutralized.

Uses of Acids and Bases

Acids are used for:
- Eye-wash and food preservation.
- Ink-stain removers, flavoring drinks, and baking powder.
- Cooking and pickling of metals.
Bases are used for:
- Manufacturing soaps and bleaching powders with sodium and calcium hydroxide.
- Antacids to neutralize stomach acidity using magnesium hydroxide.
- Fire extinguishers containing aluminum hydroxide.
- Softening water with calcium hydroxide and grease removal with ammonium hydroxide.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is characterized by a pH level lower than 5.6, indicating its acidic nature.
It comprises a mix of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), sulfurous acid (H2SO3), nitric acid (HNO3), and nitrous acid (HNO2).
Major contributors to acid rain include atmospheric pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides.

Formation of Acid Rain

Sulfur Dioxide Release:
- Burning fossil fuels releases SO2.
- The reaction: S + O2 → SO2.
Formation of Sulfurous Acid:
- SO2 reacts with water vapor to form H2SO3: H2O + SO2 → H2SO3 (aq).
Oxidation of Sulfur Dioxide:
- SO2 can oxidize to SO3: 2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3.
- Then reacts with water vapor to produce H2SO4: H2O + SO3 → H2SO4 (aq).
Nitrogen Oxide Formation:
- Nitrogen in the air combines with O2 at high temperatures from sources like lightning or engines to form nitric oxide (NO): N2 + O2 → 2NO.
- NO is further oxidized to NO2: 2NO + O2 → 2NO2.
Formation of Nitrous and Nitric Acids:
- NO2 reacts with water vapor to form HNO2 and HNO3:
  - H2O + 2NO2 → HNO2 + HNO3
  - 2H2O + 4NO2 + O2 → 4HNO3.

Environmental Impact

Acid rain negatively impacts soil by depleting nutrients and increasing soil acidity, which reduces fertility.
It harms marine life and causes material damage due to changes in environmental pH.

Description

Explore the process of neutralization in the context of acids and bases. This quiz covers how hydrogen ions from acids react with hydroxyl ions from bases to form salt and water. Test your understanding of ionic theory and its implications in chemistry.