7.1.7

Properties of Bases - Reactions with Acids & Salts

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Properties of Bases: Reactions with Acids and Ammonium Salts

Bases neutralize acids (forming salt & water) and react with ammonium salts to release ammonia gas. They are often soapy or bitter and form alkaline solutions.

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What are bases?

  • Bases are substances that can neutralise acids.
  • Bases often feel soapy and taste bitter.
  • Bases can dissolve in water to form alkaline solutions.
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Bases react with acids

  • Bases react with acids to form salt and water.
    • This reaction is called neutralisation.
    • For example, sodium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form sodium chloride and water.
  • Neutralisation helps to balance pH in chemical reactions.
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Equation for neutralisation

  • Example: NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O
    • Here, NaOH is the base, HCl is the acid.
    • Their reaction produces salt (NaCl) and water (H2O).
  • This reaction is a key property of bases.
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Bases react with ammonium salts

  • Bases react with ammonium salts to release ammonia gas.
    • For example, sodium hydroxide reacts with ammonium chloride.
  • The base removes ammonia gas (NH3) from the salt.
  • This reaction shows that bases can break down ammonium salts.
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Equation for reaction with ammonium salts

  • Example: NH4Cl + NaOH → NH3 + NaCl + H2O- NH4Cl is an ammonium salt, NaOH is a base.
    • The reaction produces ammonia gas (NH3), salt (NaCl), and water.
    • This property helps in identifying ammonium compounds.

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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