Table of Contents
In the previous segment of the chapter ‘Acids, Bases and Salts’, we studied the reaction of metallic oxides with acids and non-metallic oxides with bases. In this segment, let us understand the common properties among all acids and all bases.
What do all Acids have in common?
- Acids react with metals to give salt and hydrogen gas. This can be generalized as
Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen Gas
For example, hydrogen gas and zinc chloride are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with Zinc metal. The reaction is
?? + ???? → ????? + ??
- All acids contain hydrogen.
For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (?2??4), nitric acid (???3) etc.
- When an acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates the hydrogen.
For example, Hydrochloric acid (HCl) gives hydrogen ion (?+) and chloride ion (??−) when it is dissolved in water. The reaction is
???(??) → ?+ + ??−
Are all compounds, which contain hydrogen, acidic in nature?
Let us understand this with the help of an experiment.
Things needed:
- A beaker
- A rubber cork
- Two iron nails
- A circuit with a battery, a bulb, and a switch
