7.1.1

Acids & Alkali

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Acids and Bases

Acids and alkalis are on the opposite ends of the pH scale. They combine to form water, which is neutral.

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Acids

  • Acids are substances that form hydrogen (H+) ions when they dissolve in water (aqueous solutions).
  • Acids are proton (H+) donors.
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Bases

  • A base is any substance that can neutralise an acid.
  • Bases are proton acceptors.
  • Bases can either be soluble or insoluble in water.
    • Soluble bases are known as alkalis, which are substances that release hydroxide (OH-) ions in aqueous solutions. These are typically metal hydroxides.
    • The two main types of insoluble bases you will need to know are metal oxides and metal carbonates.
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Measured using pH scale

  • The pH scale is used to measure how acidic or alkaline a substance is.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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