2.2.4

Reactions of Acids

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Reactions of Acids

When an acid and alkali are mixed together, they react to make a salt and water. Metals react with acids to make salt and hydrogen gas.

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Neutralisation reactions

  • A neutralisation reaction is a reaction between an acid and alkali to make water and a salt.
  • This is called a neutralisation reaction because water is neutral.
  • The salt is often dissolved into the solution, so cannot be seen initially.
  • When writing the word equations for acids reacting with alkalis, you need to work out the name of the salt produced.
  • The ending of the salt is given by the acid.
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Naming products

  • Hydrochloric acid always makes something-chloride.
  • Sulfuric acid always makes something-sulfate.
  • Nitric acid always makes something-nitrate.
  • The first part of the salt name is the metal from the alkali.
  • The alkali can be any metal with ‘oxide’ or ‘hydroxide’ at the end.
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Examples of neutralisation reactions

  • Sulfuric acid + magnesium hydroxide → magnesium sulfate + water
  • Hydrochloric acid + potassium oxide → potassium chloride + water
  • Nitric acid + calcium hydroxide → calcium nitrate + water
  • Sulfuric acid + strontium hydroxide → strontium sulfate + water
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Metals and acids

  • The general equation for the reaction between a metal and an acid is:
  • Metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
  • When a metal is mixed with an acid, you will see bubbles being produced.
  • The bubbles are hydrogen gas.
  • The solution made contains salt dissolved in it.
  • The first part of the salt name is the metal.
  • The ending of the salt name comes from the acid (as with the neutralisation reactions).
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Examples of metals reacting with acids

  • Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen
  • Potassium + hydrochloric acid → potassium chloride + hydrogen
  • Calcium + nitric acid → calcium nitrate + hydrogen
  • Strontium + sulfuric acid → strontium sulfate + hydrogen

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2Chemistry

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2.2Chemical Reactions

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2.4The Periodic Table

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4Thinking Scientifically

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