Acids, Bases, and Salts: Definition, Properties, and Uses

Acids, bases, and salts are fundamental substances in chemistry that affect everything from digestion to industrial processes. Understanding their properties is crucial for science students, competitive exams (NEET, JEE, SSC), and everyday life.

This article covers:

✔ Definitions & Examples
✔ Physical & Chemical Properties
✔ pH Scale & Indicators
✔ Uses in Daily Life & Industry
✔ Neutralization Reactions

By the end, you'll clearly distinguish between acids, bases, and salts—essential for class 10 NCERT, lab work, and real-world applications.

🔬 Definitions & Examples

Category	Definition	Examples
Acids	Substances that release H⁺ ions in water, taste sour.	HCl, H₂SO₄, Citric Acid (lemon)
Bases	Substances that release OH⁻ ions, feel slippery, taste bitter.	NaOH, KOH, Baking Soda
Salts	Formed when acids + bases react (neutralization), ionic compounds.	NaCl, CaSO₄, KNO₃

📌 Properties of Acids, Bases, and Salts

1. Acids

Physical Properties:

Sour taste (e.g., lemon, vinegar).
Turn blue litmus red.
Corrosive (e.g., H₂SO₄ burns skin).

Chemical Properties:

React with metals → H₂ gas (e.g., Zn + HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂).
React with carbonates → CO₂ gas (e.g., Na₂CO₃ + HCl → NaCl + CO₂).

2. Bases

Physical Properties:

Bitter taste (e.g., baking soda).
Turn red litmus blue.
Feel soapy (e.g., NaOH).

Chemical Properties:

React with acids → salt + water (neutralization).
Do not react with metals.

3. Salts

Physical Properties:

Crystalline solids (e.g., table salt).
High melting/boiling points.

Chemical Properties:

Conduct electricity in water (electrolytes).
Some are hygroscopic (absorb water, e.g., CaCl₂).

📊 pH Scale & Indicators

1. pH Scale (0–14)

0–6: Acidic (HCl = 1, stomach acid = 2).
7: Neutral (water, NaCl).
8–14: Basic (NaOH = 14, soap = 9).

2. Natural & Synthetic Indicators

Indicator	Acid (Color)	Base (Color)
Litmus	Red	Blue
Phenolphthalein	Colorless	Pink
Turmeric	Yellow	Red
China Rose	Dark Pink	Green

⚗️ Neutralization Reactions

When acids + bases react, they form salt + water:

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O (common salt).
H₂SO₄ + Ca(OH)₂ → CaSO₄ + H₂O (gypsum).

Real-Life Applications:

Antacids (Mg(OH)₂ neutralizes stomach acid).
Soil Treatment (lime for acidic soil).
Bee stings (base) treated with vinegar (acid).

🏆 Uses in Daily Life & Industry

1. Acids

HCl: Stomach digestion, cleaning metals.
H₂SO₄: Car batteries, fertilizers.
Citric Acid: Food preservative (juices, jams).

2. Bases

NaOH: Soap, paper, drain cleaner.
Ca(OH)₂: Whitewash, plaster.
NH₄OH: Household cleaners.

3. Salts

NaCl: Cooking, food preservation.
CaSO₄ (Gypsum): Plaster of Paris, cement.
AgNO₃: Photography, antiseptic.

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