Question

Name each of the following acids or bases: a. \(\mathrm{HCl}\) b. \(\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\) d. \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) e. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{3}\)

Short answer

a. hydrochloric acid b. calcium hydroxide c. carbonic acid d. nitric acid e. sulfurous acid

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the first compound: \mathrm{HCl}

This is hydrochloric acid. The compound contains hydrogen and chlorine, and is commonly known as hydrochloric acid used widely in industry and laboratories.

- Identify the second compound: \mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}

This is calcium hydroxide. This compound consists of calcium ions and hydroxide ions and is a strong base.

- Identify the third compound: \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}

This is carbonic acid. It is formed when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, and it's a weak acid important in the carbonation process.

- Identify the fourth compound: \mathrm{HNO}_{3}

This is nitric acid. It contains hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, and is a strong acid used extensively in fertilizer production and various chemical manufacturing processes.

- Identify the fifth compound: \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{SO}_{3}

This is sulfurous acid. It is a weak acid formed by dissolving sulfur dioxide in water and is used in bleaching and water treatment processes.

Key concepts

hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid, with the chemical formula \(\text{HCl}\), is a strong acid comprising a hydrogen atom and a chlorine atom. It is one of the most widely used chemicals in industries and laboratories.

Here are some key points about hydrochloric acid:

• It is highly corrosive and has a pungent smell.
• When dissolved in water, it forms a strong acidic solution known as muriatic acid.
• It is used for cleaning metal surfaces, in the production of chlorides, and in refining ores.
• In the human body, hydrochloric acid is a major component of gastric acid, aiding in the digestion of food.

Despite its industrial utility, safety precautions must be maintained while handling hydrochloric acid due to its corrosive nature.

calcium hydroxide

Calcium hydroxide, represented as \(\text{Ca(OH)}_2\), is a strong base that forms from calcium ions bonded with hydroxide ions. It is also known as slaked lime or hydrated lime.

Important aspects of calcium hydroxide include:

• It is a white, odorless powder or colorless crystal at room temperature.
• Commonly used in construction to make plaster and mortar.
• Has applications in water and sewage treatment to neutralize acidity.
• In gardening, it's used to reduce soil acidity.

Calcium hydroxide is also used in the food industry to process water for beverages and in the preparation of certain types of food. Handle it carefully as it can cause irritation to skin and eyes.

carbonic acid

Carbonic acid has the formula \(\text{H}_2\text{CO}_3\), and is a weak acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. It is integral to the carbonation process in beverages and plays a role in biological systems.

Key details about carbonic acid include:

• It exists mostly in equilibrium with carbon dioxide and water in aqueous solutions.
• In the human body, it helps to maintain pH balance in the blood through its role in the bicarbonate buffer system.
• Carbonic acid easily decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, especially at room temperature.
• This acid is responsible for the fizziness in carbonated drinks like soda.

Although it is a weak acid, its formation and dissociation are essential for many physiological processes.

nitric acid

Nitric acid is denoted by the chemical formula \(\text{HNO}_3\), and is a strong acid known for its oxidative properties. It is widely used in industrial and laboratory settings.

Key points about nitric acid include:

• It is a colorless liquid that can turn yellow over time due to decomposition into nitrogen oxides and water.
• Extensively used in the production of fertilizers, especially ammonium nitrate.
• Important in manufacturing explosives, dyes, and plastics.
• Must be handled with care as it is highly corrosive and can cause severe chemical burns.

In laboratories, nitric acid is used for nitration reactions and as a powerful cleaning agent due to its capacity to dissolve metals.

sulfurous acid

Sulfurous acid, with the chemical formula \(\text{H}_2\text{SO}_3\), is a weak acid formed by dissolving sulfur dioxide in water. It has significant industrial applications, particularly in water treatment and bleaching.

Here are important facts about sulfurous acid:

• It acts primarily as a reducing agent.
• Used in bleaching agents and disinfectants due to its antimicrobial properties.
• Involved in the preservation of foods and wines as a sanitizer.
• Decomposes into water and sulfur dioxide, with the latter being a pungent gas used in various industrial applications.

Despite being a weak acid, sulfurous acid needs careful handling because its components can cause respiratory problems and irritation.