Chemical Properties of Acid and Base

Acids and bases are two fundamental categories of chemical compounds that play an important role in various chemical reactions and processes. Acids are substances that can donate protons when dissolved in water and Bases are substances that can accept protons when dissolved in water.

This article will cover a complete explanation of all the chemical properties of acids and bases.

How do Acids and Bases React with Metals?

Acids and bases reacts with metals to form a salt and hydrogen gas. The general equation of this reaction can be given as:

Acid/Base + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas

Few examples of reaction of acid and base with different metals are given below:

Reaction of Acid with Metal

Acids react with certain metals, especially those higher in the reactivity series, to produce hydrogen gas (H₂) and a metal salt. An example of a general equation for this reaction is given below:

2HCl(aq) + Zn(s)→ ZnCl₂​(aq) + H₂​(g)

In this reaction, hydrochloric acid(HCl) reacts with zinc(Zn) to produce zinc chloride (ZnCl₂​) and hydrogen gas.

Reaction of Base with Metal

Bases can also react with metals, to form salts and hydrogen gas. An example of a reaction of metal and a base is given below:

2NaOH(aq) + 2Al(s)+ 2H₂O(l) → 2NaAlO₂​(aq) + 3H₂​(g)

In this reaction, aluminum(Al) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium aluminate (2NaAlO₂​) and hydrogen gas.

How do Metal Carbonates and Metal Hydrogencarbonates React with Acids?

Metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates, also known as bicarbonates, react with acids to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO₂), water (H₂O), and the corresponding salt of the metal ion. The general chemical equations for these reactions can be given as:

Metal carbonate/Metal hydrogencarbonate + Acid → Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water

Reaction of Metal Carbonate with Acid

An example of a reaction between Metal Carbonate and Acid is:

CaCO₃​(s) + 2HCl (aq) → CaCl₂​(aq) + H₂​O(l) + CO₂​(g)

In this example, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃​) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce calcium chloride (CaCl₂​), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂).

Reaction of Metal Hydrogencarbonate with Acid

An example of a reaction between Metal Hydrogencarbonate and Acid is:

NaHCO₃​(s) + HCl (aq) → NaCl(aq) + H₂​O(l) + CO_2​(g)

In this example, sodium hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO₃) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂​).

How do Acids and Bases React with each other?

Acids and bases react with each other in a process known as neutralization. This reaction involves the transfer of protons (H⁺ ions) from the acid to the base, resulting in the formation of water and a salt. The general chemical equations for these reactions can be given as:

Base + Acid → Salt + Water

For example, the neutralization reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is as follows:

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → H₂O(l) + NaCl(aq)

In this reaction:

• H⁺ from hydrochloric acid combines with OH⁻ from sodium hydroxide to form water (H₂O).
• Na⁺ from sodium hydroxide and Cl⁻ from hydrochloric acid combine to form sodium chloride (NaCl), which is the salt.

The resulting solution is neutralized, meaning it has neither acidic nor basic properties.

Reaction of Metallic Oxides with Acids

When metallic oxides react with acids, they undergo a neutralization reaction to produce salt and water. The general chemical equation for this reaction is:

Metal oxide + Acid → Salt + Water

Here, the metal from the oxide combines with the anion from the acid to form the salt, while the hydrogen from the acid combines with the oxygen from the metal oxide to form water.

Example of Reaction of Metallic Oxides with Acids

The examples of this reaction are given below:

• Reaction between Iron(III) Oxide and Hydrochloric Acid: Fe₂​O₃​(s) + 6HCl (aq) → 2FeCl₃​(aq) + 3H2​O(l)

• Reaction between Magnesium Oxide and Sulfuric Acid: MgO(s)+H₂​SO_4​(aq) → MgSO₄​(aq) + H2​O(l)

In these examples, iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃​) and magnesium oxide (MgO) react with hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO​₄​) respectively, to produce the corresponding salt and water.

Reaction of a Non-metallic Oxide with Base

When a non-metallic oxide reacts with a base, they undergo a neutralization reaction to produce a salt and water. The general chemical equation for this reaction is:

Non-Metal oxide + Base → Salt + Water

Here, the anion from the non-metallic oxide combines with the cation from the base to form the salt, while the hydrogen from the base combines with the oxygen from the non-metallic oxide to form water.

Example of Reaction of Non-metallic Oxide with Base

A general example of this reaction is given below:

CO₂(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na₂​CO₃​(aq) + H2​O(l)

In this example, carbon dioxide (CO₂​) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃​) and water (H₂O).

FAQs on Chemical Properties of Acid and Base

What is the chemical reaction between an acid and a base?

The chemical reaction between an acid and a base is called neutralization. In this reaction, the acidic properties of the acid and the basic properties of the base are neutralized, resulting in the formation of water and a salt.

What are the properties of acids?

Acids have the following properties:

• Sour taste.
• Turn blue litmus paper red.
• React with metals to produce hydrogen gas.
• React with bases to form water and salts.
• Conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
• Increase the concentration of hydronium ions (H₃​O⁺) in aqueous solutions.

What are the properties of bases?

Bases have the following properties:

• Bitter taste
• Feel slippery or soapy.
• Turn red litmus paper blue.
• React with acids to form water and salts.
• Conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
• Increase the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in aqueous solutions.

How do acids and bases affect living organisms?

Acids and bases play essential roles in biological systems, including digestion (stomach acid), cellular processes, and maintaining pH balance in the body.

What are the applications of acids and bases in everyday life?

Acids and bases are used in various industries, such as food processing, cleaning products, and manufacturing. They are also used in household products like vinegar (acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).