What are Salts?

Salts are ionic compounds that are formed when an acid reacts with a base. The reaction between an acid and a base is called a neutralization reaction. During this reaction, the hydrogen ions from the acid combine with the hydroxide ions from the base to form water, and the remaining ions combine to form a salt.

Properties of Salts

Salts have several important properties:

• They are solid at room temperature.
• They are often crystalline in structure.
• They can conduct electricity when dissolved in water or melted.
• They have high melting and boiling points.

Uses of Salts

Salts have a wide range of uses in everyday life and industry:

• Table salt (sodium chloride) is used as a seasoning and preservative.
• Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is used in bath salts and as a fertilizer.
• Copper sulfate is used in agriculture as a fungicide and herbicide.
• Calcium chloride is used to de-ice roads and sidewalks in winter.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about salts:

1. Salts are formed through neutralization reactions between acids and bases.
2. They have a crystalline structure and are solid at room temperature.
3. Salts have various practical applications in everyday life and industry.
4. When dissolved in water or melted, salts can conduct electricity.

Now that you understand the basics of salts, you can explore further to learn about specific types of salts and their uses in more detail!