Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry
7.1The characteristic properties of acids and bases
The characteristic properties of acids and bases in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry: what the syllabus expects you to know, the learning objectives and how to practise.
Subtopic62 practice questions3 lessons
Learning objectives
What the syllabus expects you to be able to do.
- 7.1.1Describe the typical reactions of acids with metals, bases and carbonates.
- 7.1.2Describe the colours that acids give with litmus, thymolphthalein and methyl orange.
- 7.1.3State that bases are oxides or hydroxides of metals and that alkalis are bases that are soluble in water.
- 7.1.4Describe the typical reactions of bases with acids and with ammonium salts.
- 7.1.5Describe the colours that alkalis give with litmus, thymolphthalein and methyl orange.
- 7.1.6State that aqueous solutions of acids contain H⁺ ions and aqueous solutions of alkalis contain OH⁻ ions.
- 7.1.7Describe how universal indicator paper colours and pH values are used to compare hydrogen ion concentration, neutrality and how acidic or alkaline solutions are.
- 7.1.8Describe the neutralisation of an acid by an alkali as the reaction H⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) → H₂O(l).
- 7.1.9Supplement: define acids as proton donors and bases as proton acceptors.
- 7.1.10Supplement: define a strong acid as one that is completely dissociated in aqueous solution and a weak acid as one that is only partially dissociated.
- 7.1.11Supplement: state that hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, shown by HCl(aq) → H⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq).
- 7.1.12Supplement: state that ethanoic acid is a weak acid, shown by CH₃COOH(aq) ⇌ H⁺(aq) + CH₃COO⁻(aq).
Lessons
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Indicators and the pH scale
25 min
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Properties of acids, bases and alkalis
25 min
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Proton transfer: strong and weak acids
25 min
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Sample question
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Turn The characteristic properties of acids and bases into a strength.
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