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Throughout our daily lives, we taste a variety of different chemicals. Sour, bitter, and salty flavours can be found in a variety of dishes. Lemon juice, for example, has a sour taste, soap solution has a bitter taste, and seawater has a salty taste. These compounds can be divided into three groups, according to one approach of categorisation. These are the groups of acids, bases, and salts.
The features of these substances are distinct from one another. Acids, for example, have characteristics that differ from those of bases. The reaction of acids with bases results in the formation of salts with properties that are diametrically opposite to those of the corresponding acids and bases.
Classification of Acids
Based on Source
Organic acids and inorganic acids are the two primary categories of acids that have been categorised according to their source of origin.
Organic Acids: Organic acids are acids that can be found in both plants and animals and are found in the environment. For instance, citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, and other acids are all examples of acids.
Inorganic Acids: inorganic acids are acids that are made from the minerals found in the earth’s surface. They are created by humans and are referred to as laboratory acids.
Sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and other acids are examples. Mineral acids in concentrated form are quite dangerous. As a result, people should exercise caution when working with acids. In the laboratory, acids are typically diluted with water to prevent them from reacting with other chemicals. These types of acids are referred to as dilute acids. These are less hazardous to our health. Carbonic acid, for example, is a mineral acid however it is a weak acid due to its low pH.
Strong and weak acids
Acids are divided into two groups based on their strength: strong acids and weak acids.
1. Acids that undergo complete ionisation in an aqueous solution are referred to as “strong acids.” Chemicals such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), and sulphuric acid (SO3), for example (H2SO4).
2. The term weak acid refers to acidic compounds that undergo ionisation only to a little level. For example, carbonic acid (H2CO3) and acetic acid (HCOH) are both acids (CH3COOH)
Acids are divided into two groups based on their concentration: concentrated acids and dilute acids.
Based on Concentration
Concentrated acids are acids in which the highest quantity of acid is dissolved in the least amount of water possible. Acids that are sold commercially are often concentrated acids. Concentrated acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid, for example, are available for purchase.
Dilute acids are acids in which a comparatively small amount of acid is dissolved in a big amount of water, and the amount of acid is quite small. When compared to a concentrated solution, a dilute solution contains significantly less solute.
An acid that is dilute, as opposed to concentrated, will ionise to a larger extent in solution. However, suppose an aquatic acid mixture is added to water. In that case, the pH of the resulting solution will be greater (with lower acidity) than the pH of the resulting solution from adding a concentrated one.
Properties of Acids
Acids have certain characteristics.
Acids have a sour taste.
They are easily dissolved in water.
All acidic solutions are electrically conductive.
They become blue litmus red when exposed to light.
They are quite corrosive.
Acids react with some reactive metals to generate salt and hydrogen gas, which are both harmful to the environment.
Acid+Metal→Salt+Hydrogengas
- Zn(S)+H2SO4(aq) = ZnSO4(aq)+H2SO4(aq)
- Zn(S)+2HCl(aq)+H2O = ZnCl2(aq)+H2O
- When acids come into contact with metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates, they generate sodium bicarbonate, carbon dioxide, and water as a result of a chemical reaction. The carbon dioxide gas is visible as a vigorous effervescence in the water.
- Acid+MetalCarbonate→Salt+Carbon Dioxide+Water
- Acid+Metal Hydrogen Carbonate→Salt+Carbon Dioxide+Water
- Acids react with metal oxides to generate salt and water, which are then released into the environment.
- Na2O+2HCl→2NaCl+H2
- CuO+H2SO4→CuSO4+H2O
Use of Acids
1. Hydrochloric Acid
Dilute hydrochloric acid is utilised in a variety of businesses that rely on heating to function properly. It is used to clean the inside of boilers of any deposits that have accumulated.
Hydrochloric acid can also be used to clean sinks and sanitary ware, among other things.
2. Sulfuric Acid
Sulphuric acid is considered to be the most important industrial chemical in the world, earning it the title “king of chemicals.” Some of its most important applications are as follows: Sulphuric acid is utilised in the production of automobile batteries.
It is used in the production of paints, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and fertilisers, among other things.
3. Nitric Acid
It is used by goldsmiths to clean jewellery made of gold and silver metals. It is also used in the creation of fertilisers, such as ammonium nitrate, which is a nitrogen compound.
4. Acetic Acid
Acetic acid is often used effectively to enhance the taste of dishes. It is a natural preservative. In reality, acetic acid is more often referred to as vinegar.
As a cleansing agent, it can be found in products designed to clean windows, floors, cutlery, and other surfaces.
Moreover, it aids in the removal of stains from the woodwork, such as furniture and carpets.
Acetic acid is often used as a preservative in foods such as pickles and other condiments. The majority of bacteria are unable to survive in an acidic environment. An acidic environment either causes their activities to be slowed or even causes them to die. As a result, vinegar can be found in a variety of regularly marketed foods such as pickles, sauce, ketchup, and other condiments.
Conclusion
Acids can be divided into two categories: organic acids and inorganic acids. Mineral acids are a term used to refer to inorganic acids that are not organic. Organic acids are often less potent than inorganic acids when compared as a group.
