Common Acid Reactions

Acid-Base / Alkali

Related Notes

• This has already been covered by Neutralisation.
• However, the current note covers alkalis and not only bases.

General Formula

• An acid reacts with a base (or alkali, soluble bases) to form salt and water.
• The type of salt produced is dependent on the acid and base that react.
• The salt is an ionic solution (somewhat covered on Acid-Metal Reactions), meaning that it is formed by a cation (from alkali) and anion (from acid).

Utilising Neutralisation Reactions

• In order to utilise the knowledge of acid-base/alkali (or neutralisation) reactions, you must learn these three specific acids (this was briefly covered here).
  • Hydrochloric acid () → Chlorides
  • Nitric acid () → Nitrates
  • Sulphuric acid () → Sulphates

Acid-Carbonate

General Formula

• You can remember this formula by remembering the acronym “CSWAM” (copper + salt + water ← acid + metal)
• This is also very similar to Acid-Base / Alkali Reactions. The only difference is that since carbon is involved, carbon dioxide will be created.
• The salt formed is made from the cation from metal carbonate and anion from the acid.

Utilising Acid-Carbonate Reactions

• In order to utilise the knowledge of acid-carbonate reactions, you must learn these three specific metal carbonates.
  • Sodium carbonate ()
  • Potassium carbonate ()
  • Calcium carbonate ()