Grade 8

Grade 8Acids, Bases and Salts


Applications of Acids, Bases and Salts in Daily Life


Acids, bases, and salts play important roles in our daily lives. You may not realize it, but they are everywhere! They have countless applications, from the food we eat to the cleaning products we use. This lesson will explain these applications in an easy to understand way by covering their use in food, personal care, agriculture, cleaning, industrial processes, and medicine.

Acids in everyday life

1. Food and drink

Acids are commonly found in both food and beverages. They enhance flavor and preserve food.

Citrus fruits: Oranges, lemons and limes contain citric acid. This is what gives these fruits their sour taste.

citric acid

Vinegar: It contains acetic acid, which is used in making salad dressings and pickles.

acetic acid

2. Personal care products

Many personal care products contain acids to improve appearance and health.

Shampoo: Some shampoos contain acids like salicylic acid that help combat dandruff. This acid helps remove excess dead skin cells.

Skin care products: Acids such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) help exfoliate the skin, reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

3. Cleaning agents

Acids are effective at cleaning and removing tough stains.

Toilet cleaner: Often contains hydrochloric acid to remove dirt and stains.

Bases in daily life

1. Cleaning products

Alkalis are important in the manufacture of household cleaning agents.

Laundry detergent: Contains an alkali such as sodium carbonate that enhances cleaning by softening water and breaking down oils.

sodium carbonate

2. Baking and cooking

Bases are used in baking and other cooking processes.

Baking soda: Baking soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), helps baked goods rise by reacting with acids to release carbon dioxide.

baking soda

3. Antacid medicines

Bases are essential in the making of antacid medicines that help neutralise excess acid in the stomach.

Magnesium hydroxide: Common in antacid preparations because it balances stomach acidity.

Salt in everyday life

1. Food seasoning

Salt plays a very important role in flavouring and preserving food. They enhance the taste and increase the shelf life of food.

Table salt: Made from sodium chloride (NaCl) this salt is universally used for seasoning.

sodium chloride

2. Water softening

The salts help soften hard water, which can extend the life of plumbing and appliances.

Calcium and magnesium salts: These ions are replaced by sodium ions through the ion exchange process during water softening.

3. Agricultural use

Various salts are used in agriculture to enrich the soil and protect plants.

Ammonium nitrate: Used as a fertilizer. It provides useful nitrogen to plants, thereby increasing growth.

Conclusion

Acids, bases, and salts have a variety of applications that range from simple household tasks to complex industrial processes. Understanding how these chemicals work can enrich our understanding of everyday products and processes, and this knowledge can be applied to make better choices in our daily lives.


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