2.5 Acids, Bases and Salts

chemistry

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
The chemical formula of an acid usually starts with Hydrogen (H-).
  • Acids with a carbon usually have the C written first.
    • HCl(aq) = hydrochloric acid, HNO3(aq) = nitric acid, CH3COOH(aq)= acetic acid
Naming acids
  • For Acids formed from Hydrogen + a single element from the periodic table:
Hydrogen + …-ide = Hydro…ic acid
    • HF(aq) = hydrogen fluoride = hydrofluoric acid

  • For Acids formed from Hydrogen plus a polyatomic molecule ending in -ate.
Hydrogen + …-ate = …ic acid
    • H2CO3(aq) = hydrogen carbonate = carbonic acid

  • For Acids formed from Hydrogen plus a polyatomic molecule ending in -ite.
Hydrogen + …-ite = …ous acid
    • H2SO3(aq) = hydrogen sulphite = sulphurous acid