Acids & Bases Project: Physical & Chemical Properties Part I
Acids & Bases Project: Physical & Chemical Properties Part I: Research
Research these acids and bases in order to fill out the Graphic Organizers below. The first line is filled in as an example. Use these and other web resources for your research: Common Compound Library, Envirofacts Master Chemical Integrator, International Chemical Safety Cards, Chemistry Material Safety Data Sheets.
Acids & Bases to Research:
- Acetic acid
- Ammonia
- Butyric acid
- Barium hydroxide
- Carbonic acid
- Calcium hydroxide
- Formic acid
- Ammonium hydroxide
- Sulfuric acid
- Sodium carbonate
- Hydrochloric acid
- Sodium hydroxide
Graphic Organizer: Acids
| Name(s) | Chemical Formula | Commercial Uses | Physical Properties | Chemical Properties | Hazards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxalic acid (ethanedioic acid) | C₂H₂O₄ or C₂H₂O₄ · 2H₂O | Stain removers, cleaners, dyes, inks, metal polishes, cleansers | Clear, colorless, odorless; if not in solution, white crystalline solid | Reacts explosively with oxidizing materials and some silver compounds; combustible | Harmful if it contacts skin or eyes; corrosive to tissue; poisonous |
Graphic Organizer: Bases
| Name(s) | Chemical Formula | Commercial Uses | Physical Properties | Chemical Properties | Hazards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium hydroxide | NaOH | Cleaning products, soap making, chemical manufacturing | White crystalline solid, deliquescent, odorless | Strong base, reacts with acids to produce salt and water | Corrosive; burns skin and eyes; hazardous if inhaled or ingested |
Part II: Analysis
Refer to your graphic organizers as you answer these questions:
- What are the characteristics common to all of the acids or all of the bases that were researched?
- Were there any rare exceptions?
Examine each column of the graphic organizers and look for similarities. You may find it helpful to circle similar items. Record these identifying characteristics in the table below.
Identifying Characteristics of Acids and Bases
| Acids | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| All acids contain hydrogen atoms that can be released as H⁺ ions in solution. | Commonly turn blue litmus paper red, have sour taste, react with metals to produce hydrogen gas, and exhibit pH less than 7. |
| Most acids are corrosive and poisonous in concentrated form. | Reacts with bases to form salt and water, indicating their chemical reactivity. |
| Bases | Characteristics |
| All bases contain hydroxide (OH⁻) ions that can accept H⁺ ions. | Commonly turn red litmus paper blue, have bitter taste, feel slippery, and exhibit pH greater than 7. |
| Many bases are caustic and pose health hazards upon contact. | React with acids to produce salt and water, showing their chemical reactivity. |
Conclusion
In summary, acids and bases exhibit distinct physical and chemical properties that are consistent across their respective categories. Acids are characterized by their sour taste, ability to react with metals, and pH less than 7, largely due to the presence of hydrogen ions. Bases, on the other hand, are known for their bitter taste, slippery feel, and pH greater than 7, primarily because of hydroxide ions. Despite these common characteristics, some exceptions exist, such as weak acids or weak bases that do not exhibit all typical reactions strongly. Understanding these properties is essential in chemistry for safe handling, proper use in industrial applications, and understanding their role in biological systems and environmental processes.
References
- Chang, R. (2010). Chemistry (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Zumdahl, S. S., & Zumdahl, S. A. (2014). Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach. Cengage Learning.
- USA Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Chemical Safety and Handling. EPA.gov.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2012). Carcinogenicity of Chemical Agents. IARC Monographs.
- CDC. (2021). Chemical Safety Data Sheets. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Greenwood, N. N., & Earnshaw, A. (2012). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
- International Chemical Safety Cards. (2023). Public Health Agency of Canada.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2022). Guidelines for Chemical Handling. NIOSH Publications.
- Harris, D. C. (2015). Quantitative Chemical Analysis (9th ed.). Macmillan.
- Freedman, R. (2021). Organic Chemistry Principles and Applications. Academic Press.