2.5 Acids, Bases and Salts

Acids

If you know a compound's chemical formula, you may be able to identify it as an acid.

• Acids often behave like acids only when dissolved in water
• Therefore, acids are often written with subscript (aq) = aquatic = water

• Acids with a carbon usually have the C written first.
  • HCl(aq) = hydrochloric acid, HNO₃(aq) = nitric acid, CH₃COOH(aq)= acetic acid

• For Acids formed from Hydrogen + a single element from the periodic table:

• HF(aq) = hydrogen fluoride = hydrofluoric acid

• For Acids formed from Hydrogen plus a polyatomic molecule ending in -ate.

• H₂CO₃(aq) = hydrogen carbonate = carbonic acid

• For Acids formed from Hydrogen plus a polyatomic molecule ending in -ite.

• H₂SO₃(aq) = hydrogen sulphite = sulphurous acid