importance of chemistry to engineers
Acids Bases and pH Scale
I. Acids
*Acids are ionic compounds ( a compound with a positive or negative charge) that break apart in water to form a hydrogen ion (H+).
*The strength of an acid is based on the concentration of H+ ions in the solution. The more H+ the stronger the acid.
Example: HCl (Hydrochloric acid) in water
Characteristics of Acids:
**Acids taste sour
**Acids react strongly with metals (Zn + HCl)
**Strong Acids are dangerous and can burn your skin
Examples of Acids:
1. Vinegar 3. Citrus Fruits
2. Stomach Acid (HCl)
II. Bases
*Bases are ionic compounds that break apart to form a negatively charged hydroxide ion (OH-) in water.
*The strength of a base is determined by the concentration of Hydroxide ions (OH-). The greater the concentration of OH- ions the stronger the base.
Example: NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide-a strong base) in water
**Solutions containig bases are often called alkaline.
Characteristics of Bases:
**Bases taste bitter
**Bases feel slippery
**Strong bases are very dangerous and can burn your skin
Examples:
1. lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
2. Ammonia
III. Neutralization Reactions
** When acids and bases are added to each other they react to neutralize each other if an equal number of hydrogen and hydroxide ions are present.
When this reaction occurs -salt and water are formed.
HCl + NaOHNaCl + H2O
(Acid) (Base)---(Salt) (Water)
What are some useful applications of this reaction?
IV. pH Scale and Indicators
**The strength of an acid or base in a solution is measured on a scale called a pH scale.
**The pH scale is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration. It spans from 0 to 14 with the middle point (pH 7) being neutral (neither acidic or basic).
Any pH number greater than 7 is considered a base and any pH number less than 7 is considered an acid. 0 is the strongest acid and 14 is the strongest base.
Indicators-- An indicator is a special type of compound that
I. Acids
*Acids are ionic compounds ( a compound with a positive or negative charge) that break apart in water to form a hydrogen ion (H+).
*The strength of an acid is based on the concentration of H+ ions in the solution. The more H+ the stronger the acid.
Example: HCl (Hydrochloric acid) in water
Characteristics of Acids:
**Acids taste sour
**Acids react strongly with metals (Zn + HCl)
**Strong Acids are dangerous and can burn your skin
Examples of Acids:
1. Vinegar 3. Citrus Fruits
2. Stomach Acid (HCl)
II. Bases
*Bases are ionic compounds that break apart to form a negatively charged hydroxide ion (OH-) in water.
*The strength of a base is determined by the concentration of Hydroxide ions (OH-). The greater the concentration of OH- ions the stronger the base.
Example: NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide-a strong base) in water
**Solutions containig bases are often called alkaline.
Characteristics of Bases:
**Bases taste bitter
**Bases feel slippery
**Strong bases are very dangerous and can burn your skin
Examples:
1. lye (Sodium Hydroxide)
2. Ammonia
III. Neutralization Reactions
** When acids and bases are added to each other they react to neutralize each other if an equal number of hydrogen and hydroxide ions are present.
When this reaction occurs -salt and water are formed.
HCl + NaOHNaCl + H2O
(Acid) (Base)---(Salt) (Water)
What are some useful applications of this reaction?
IV. pH Scale and Indicators
**The strength of an acid or base in a solution is measured on a scale called a pH scale.
**The pH scale is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration. It spans from 0 to 14 with the middle point (pH 7) being neutral (neither acidic or basic).
Any pH number greater than 7 is considered a base and any pH number less than 7 is considered an acid. 0 is the strongest acid and 14 is the strongest base.
Indicators-- An indicator is a special type of compound that