Frequently Asked Question

Acids are characterized by their sour taste, ability to turn blue litmus paper red, and their reactions with metals, bases, and carbonates.
Litmus Paper:
Acids turn blue litmus paper red, indicating their acidic nature.
Reactions with Metals:
Acids react with many metals to produce hydrogen gas and a salt. For example:

Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with zinc (Zn) to produce hydrogen gas (H2) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2):

2HCl(aq) + Zn(s) → ZnCl2(aq) + H2(g)


Dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with magnesium (Mg) to produce hydrogen gas (H2) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4):

H2SO4(aq) + Mg(s) → MgSO4(aq) + H2(g)

Reactions with Bases:
Acids react with bases in a neutralization reaction, producing salt and water. For example:

Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl) and water (H2O):

HCl(aq) + NaOH(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)


Dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with potassium hydroxide (KOH) to produce potassium sulfate (K2SO4) and water (H2O):

H2SO4(aq) + 2KOH(aq) → K2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Reactions with Carbonates:
Acids react with carbonates to produce carbon dioxide gas, water, and a salt. For example:

Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), and calcium chloride (CaCl2):

2HCl(aq) + CaCO3(s) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)


Dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) to produce carbon dioxide gas (CO2), water (H2O), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4):

H2SO4(aq) + Na2CO3(s) → Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)