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Acids, Bases and Salts Study Cards
Free GCSE Chemistry Flashcards
Quiz yourself on pH, neutralisation reactions, the preparation of salts, and the properties of acids and bases with these free Chemistry flashcards. Ideal for GCSE Chemistry revision.
Question
What is an acid according to the Brønsted-Lowry definition?
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Answer
A proton (H⁺) donor — a substance that releases hydrogen ions in solution.
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Question
What is a base according to the Brønsted-Lowry definition?
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Answer
A proton (H⁺) acceptor — a substance that accepts hydrogen ions. A soluble base is called an alkali.
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Question
What is the pH scale?
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Answer
A logarithmic scale from 0–14 measuring acidity/alkalinity. pH < 7 = acidic, pH 7 = neutral, pH > 7 = alkaline. Each unit change = 10× change in H⁺ concentration.
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Question
What is a strong acid?
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Answer
An acid that completely dissociates in water, releasing all its H⁺ ions. Examples: HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃.
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Question
What is a weak acid?
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Answer
An acid that only partially dissociates in water — an equilibrium is established. Examples: ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH), carbonic acid.
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Question
What is neutralisation?
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Answer
The reaction between an acid and a base to produce a salt and water: acid + base → salt + water.
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Question
What is the reaction of an acid with a carbonate?
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Answer
Acid + carbonate → salt + water + carbon dioxide. Example: 2HCl + CaCO₃ → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂
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Question
What is the reaction of an acid with a metal?
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Answer
Acid + metal → salt + hydrogen gas. Example: 2HCl + Mg → MgCl₂ + H₂. (Metals below hydrogen in the reactivity series do not react with acids.)
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Question
What is a salt?
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Answer
An ionic compound formed when the hydrogen in an acid is replaced by a metal ion (or ammonium ion). The name depends on the acid: HCl → chloride, H₂SO₄ → sulfate, HNO₃ → nitrate.
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Question
How do you make a soluble salt from an insoluble base?
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Answer
Add excess insoluble base to acid until no more dissolves, filter off the excess, then evaporate the filtrate to crystallise the salt.
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