Acids and Bases

Do you know that we have an acid (hydrochloric) in our stomach that aids in our digestion and the white residue left on your car battery surface is because of an acid (sulphuric acid)? Have you ever slipped on a floor that is wet and soapy? That wet soap is actually a mild base and slippery to touch.

An acid is a molecule or ion, capable of contributing a hydron (proton or hydrogen ion H+) or capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair. The word ‘acid’ originates from the Latin ‘acidus/acere’, which means sour. Chemicals or substances having the property of an acid are said to be acidic.

Any substance that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water is called as a base.

We use plenty of acids and bases in our daily lives. In this lesson, you will learn more about acids and bases, their properties and differences.

Classification of Acids:

Strength | Concentration | Mol.Composition | Basicity

 Salts and their Laboratory Preparation

Have you noticed how salty the sea water is when you are at the beach? It not only tastes salty but leaves a residue on your hair and skin if you bathe in the sea. The common salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) that you use for cooking at home is sourced from sea water. Salt in its natural form of solid crystals can also be mined from the earth.

There is evidence that salt was processed as early as 8000 thousand years ago by boiling spring water in areas presently known as Romania and China. Salt was a priced commodity in the ancient world and became an article of trade. Scarcity even lead to wars and taxation.

Salt is essential to the health of humans and other animals and is one the seasonings use to flavour food. In this lesson, you will learn all about salts and how they are prepared in a laboratory.

Water of Crystallisation

Water of crystallisation or water of hydration or crystallisation water is the water that is found in the crystalline framework of a metal complex or salt, which is not directly bonded to the metal cation.