Corrosive – attack and destroy

Acid living tissue, e.g. eyes and skin

h i

Harmful –when swallowed, Irritant – not corrosive but cause

breathed in or absorbed through reddening and blistering of the
he skin skin
 ACID=substance contain
hydrogen ion in aqueous solution
 ALKALI =substance contain
hydroxide ion in aqueous
solution
 Acidsand alkali only show their
properties in the presence of
water
 Indicators
help you find
out whether
a solution is
acidic or not.

They change colour in acid or alkaline solutions.

Different indicators change to different colours.

 Litmus is red in an acid.
 Litmus is blue in an alkali.
 Universal indicator changes colour in acids
and alkalis.

Neutral
ACIDS ALKALIS

Its colour shows the strength of an acid or alkali.

1–6 8 - 14
7
Acids Alkalis
Neutral
 ACIDS
Sharp, sour taste
corrosive
Turn blue litmus paper to
RED
Have a pH value less than 7
React with active metal to
produce hydrogen gas
Examples
hydrochloric acid, sulphuric
acid, nitric acid, citric acid
(lemons, oranges etc)
vinegar
soap (Johnson’s pH 5.5)
ALKALIS
Soapy feel and bitter taste
corrosive
Turn red litmus paper to
BLUE
Have a pH value more than
7
React with ammonium salts
to produce ammonia gas
Examples
Sodium hydroxide
ammonium hydroxide
calcium hydroxide
(limewater)
Washing powder, soap
Metal + Acid Salt + Hydrogen
magnesium magnesium chloride + hydrogen
+
hydrochloric acid

Acid + Carbonate Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide

sulphuric acid copper sulphate + water+ carbon dioxide
+
copper carbonate
Alkali + ammonium salt Salt + water + ammonia gas
Water is an example of a NEUTRAL SOLUTION
An acid and alkali will neutralise each other if the correct
amounts are used:
Acid + alkali Salt + water

E.g. hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide sodium chloride + water

 Hydrochloric acid + Sodium hydroxide Sodium chloride + water
 Sulphuric acid + potassium hydroxide Potassium sulphate +water
 Nitric acid + calcium hydroxide Calcium nitrate + water
Food preservation – pickling involves soaking
the food in vinegar which kills the bacteria
which causes food to decay

Hair and skin care – the best pH for skin is

5.5. Soaps containing very weak acids or
alkalis can be used to get this pH level

Stings – BEE stings are ACIDIC and are treated

using an alkali such as calamine lotion
which neutralises the acid of the sting. WASP
stings are ALKALINE and are neutralised
using an acid such as vinegar

Soil treatment – acid rain can turn soil acidic.

Some plants will not grow in acidic soil. The
soil is neutralised using LIME which is an
alkali
 • Insect Stings
Bee stings are acidic
and can be neutralised with
baking soda (bicarbonate of
soda).
Wasp stings are alkaline and can
be neutralised with vinegar.
 Indigestion: Our stomach carries
around hydrochloric acid.
Too much of this leads to indigestion.
To cure indigestion, you can neutralise the
excess acid with baking soda or specialised
indigestion tablets.

Soil Treatment: When soils are
too acidic (often as a result of
acid rain) they can be treated
with slaked lime, chalk or
quicklime, all alkalis. Plants
and crops grow best in
neutral soils.
Factory Waste: Liquid
waste from factories is
often acidic. If it
reaches a river it will
destroy and kill sea life
of many forms.
Neutralising the waste
with slaked lime can
prevent this.
1) Hydrochloric acid is used in the stomach to help
_______. If we eat too many “rich” foods our stomachs
create too much ____ – this is called ______. This acid
needs to be neutralised by taking indigestion tablets.

2) Soil is naturally acidic, mainly due to acid ____. This can have bad effects
on ____ and vegetable growth, so the excess acid may need to be
neutralised with an _____ or suitable fertiliser.

Words – plant, digestion, indigestion, alkali, rain, acid

 Acid, alkali or both???

1) This a pH of less than 7

2) This could kill cells
3) This is often used in cleaners or soap
4) This would turn Universal Indicator red
5) Sodium hydroxide is a common ____________
6) This would feel soapy on your skin
7) This could be a corrosive
8) This will turn universal indicator purple
9) This would taste sour
10) Lemon juice and vinegar are examples of weak _____