Grade 6 → Acids, Bases and Salts ↓
Uses of Acids, Bases and Salts
Acids, bases and salts are everywhere in our daily lives. They are used in many ways, from cooking to cleaning and even in medicines. Let's find out how these substances are used and where we can find them.
What are acids?
Acids are special substances that taste sour. They can be found in many foods and have a pH value less than 7. Some common acids include:
- Citrus acid: Found in lemons and oranges.
- Acetic acid: The main component of vinegar.
- Hydrochloric acid: Found in the digestive juices of our stomach.
Uses of acids
Acids have many uses in the world around us. Here are some uses:
1. In food
Acids enhance flavor and preserve foods. For example, citric acid is used to add a sour taste to candy and soft drinks. The acetic acid in vinegar is used to pickle vegetables.
CH₃COOH (Acetic acid)
2. In cleaning
Acids are often used in cleaning products. They can help remove hard water deposits, rust stains, and other residues. Hydrochloric acid is used in some toilet bowl cleaners.
3. In industry
Many industries use acids to make fertilizers, dyes, and explosives. Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄
) is one of the most commonly used industrial acids for manufacturing fertilizers.
H₂SO₄ (Sulfuric acid)
4. In medicine
Acids such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) are essential for our health. They help in the growth and repair of tissues in the body.
What are the bases?
Bases are substances that taste bitter and soapy. They are often found in cleaning products. Bases have a pH greater than 7. Some bases include:
- Sodium Hydroxide: Used in making soap.
- Ammonia: Commonly used in cleaning products.
- Magnesium hydroxide: Used as a laxative.
Uses of bases
Bases are used for many purposes. Here are some examples:
1. In cleaning
Bases are good at cleaning oil and grease. They are found in household cleaners such as bleach and detergents. Sodium hydroxide is also used to clean drains.
NaOH (Sodium hydroxide)
2. In cooking
Baking soda, a mild base, is used to make cakes and breads rise.
NaHCO₃ (Baking soda)
3. In medicine
Alkalis help reduce stomach acidity. Medicines such as antacids use alkalis to neutralise stomach acid.
4. In industry
Bases like calcium hydroxide are used in making plaster and cement.
Ca(OH)₂ (Calcium hydroxide)
What are salts?
Salts are compounds that form when an acid reacts with a base. They are generally neutral and have many uses. Common table salt is an example, known chemically as sodium chloride:
NaCl
Uses of salts
Salts have a wide range of uses, some of which are:
1. In cooking
Sodium chloride or table salt is very important in cooking. It makes food tasty and keeps it safe by preventing bacteria from growing.
2. In de-icing
Salts such as calcium chloride are used to melt ice and snow on roads during the winter.
CaCl₂ (Calcium chloride)
3. In industry
Many salts are used in industrial processes. For example, potassium nitrate is used in fertilizers.
KNO₃ (Potassium nitrate)
4. In health
Salts such as Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are used in baths to relax muscles.
MgSO₄ (Magnesium sulfate)
5. In water treatment
Salts are also used in water softening systems to remove water hardness.
Conclusion
Acids, bases and salts are important components of chemistry that affect everyday life. They are used in a variety of industries, our homes and for our health. Understanding their role helps us appreciate the many functions they perform.