Acid-Base Reactions
Overview
An acid-base reaction is a chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base. These reactions are also known as neutralization reactions, as they result in the formation of water and a salt.
Key Concepts
- Acids: Acids are substances that donate protons (H+) in a chemical reaction. They are characterized by their sour taste, ability to turn blue litmus paper red, and their ability to react with metals to produce hydrogen gas.
- Bases: Bases are substances that accept protons (H+) in a chemical reaction. They are characterized by their bitter taste, slippery feel, and their ability to turn red litmus paper blue.
- Neutralization: In an acid-base reaction, the acid and base neutralize each other, forming water and a salt.
- pH Scale: The pH scale is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. Acids have a pH less than 7, while bases have a pH greater than 7. A pH of 7 is considered neutral.
Example Reaction
An example of an acid-base reaction is the reaction between hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form water (H2O) and sodium chloride (NaCl), as shown in the balanced chemical equation:
2HCl + 2NaOH → 2H2O + 2NaCl
Study Guide
When studying acid-base reactions, it's important to understand the properties of acids and bases, as well as how to identify them in chemical equations. Here are some key points to focus on:
- Define what makes a substance an acid or a base, and provide examples of each.
- Explain the concept of neutralization and how it relates to acid-base reactions.
- Understand how to balance chemical equations for acid-base reactions.
- Discuss the pH scale and its relevance to acid-base chemistry.
By mastering these concepts, you'll be well-prepared to understand and solve problems related to acid-base reactions in chemistry.
[Acid-base Reaction] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂Chemistry Worksheets and Study Guides High School. Elements - Set I
Worksheet/Answer key
Elements - Set I 
Worksheet/Answer key
Elements - Set I Worksheet/Answer key
Elements - Set I
Worksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
PHYSICAL SCIENCE (NGSS)
Matter and Its Interactions
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale to infer the strength of electrical forces between particles.