Grade 10 → Acids, Bases and Salts ↓
Common Acids and Bases in Daily Life
Acids and bases are chemicals that are found everywhere in our daily lives, from the food we eat to the cleaning products we use. It is important to understand these substances because they play vital roles in the natural world, industrial processes, and laboratory practices. This lesson will provide a comprehensive explanation of common acids and bases, their properties, and their applications in everyday life.
Basic understanding of acids and bases
Acid
Acids are substances that can donate protons (H+) to another substance. They usually taste sour, can change the color of blue litmus paper to red, and react with metals to form hydrogen gas. Acids are found in many everyday items and foods.
Bases
Bases are substances that can accept a proton or donate a pair of valence electrons to form a bond. They usually taste bitter and slippery. Bases can change the color of red litmus paper to blue. Bases are also found in household cleaning agents and other products.
Common acids in everyday life
Citrus fruits: Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges. It gives these fruits their distinctive tart flavor.
Citric Acid Formula: C_6H_8O_7
Vinegar: Acetic acid
Apart from water, acetic acid is the main component of vinegar. It gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell.
Acetic Acid Formula: CH_3COOH
Stomach acid: Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is found in the stomach. It helps in digesting food by breaking down the complex molecules present in our food.
Hydrochloric Acid Formula: HCl
Battery acid: Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is used in lead-acid batteries for cars and other vehicles. It is a strong acid with industrial importance.
Sulfuric Acid Formula: H_2SO_4
Common bases in everyday life
Baking soda: Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is a mild base. It is used in baking as well as in some cleaning products.
Sodium Bicarbonate Formula: NaHCO_3
Soap: Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is a strong alkali used in the manufacture of soaps and detergents.
Sodium Hydroxide Formula: NaOH
Ammonia solution
Ammonia is a base commonly found in household cleaning products. It is a gas at room temperature but is often used in liquid solutions for cleaning.
Ammonia Formula: NH_3
Milk of magnesia: Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is an alkaline substance that is commonly used to relieve indigestion and heartburn.
Magnesium Hydroxide Formula: Mg(OH)_2
Safe use of acids and bases
Acids and bases are useful, but they can be dangerous if not handled properly. Proper precautions include using gloves and eye protection when handling strong acids or bases. Always read labels and follow instructions on household products that contain these chemicals.
Mixture of acid and base
Mixing acids and bases can have a neutralizing effect, but this must be done carefully as it can also cause violent reactions. For example, mixing vinegar (acetic acid) with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) causes a fizzing reaction that forms water, carbon dioxide gas, and sodium acetate.
CH_3COOH + NaHCO_3 → CO_2 + H_2O + CH_3COONa
Role of acids and bases in environmental chemistry
Acids and bases also play important roles in the environment. For example, rainwater is slightly acidic because of dissolved carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid. Certain pollutants can make rain more acidic, leading to acid rain, which has harmful effects on plants, aquatic life, and infrastructure.
Acid rain
Acid rain occurs when sulfur dioxide (SO_2)
and nitrogen oxides (NO_x)
enter the atmosphere. These compounds can react with water to form sulfuric and nitric acid, respectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, acids and bases are an integral part of both natural and man-made environments. They are present everywhere in our daily lives, from the food we eat to the cleaning agents we use in our homes. Understanding their properties and reactions not only enhances our knowledge of chemistry but also expands our awareness of the world around us.