CBSE · NCERT · Class 10 Science · Chapter 2

NCERT Solutions: Class 10 Science Chapter 2 - Acids, Bases and Salts

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Chapter-wise NCERT intext questions and exercise answers for Acids, Bases and Salts, grounded in the official textbook.

Questions are taken verbatim from the NCERT textbook; answers were grounded against the chapter's content during generation. Items needing review are marked.
Sections in this chapter
Intext Questions (Page 22) 3Intext Questions (Page 25) 6Intext Questions (Page 28) 4Intext Questions (Page 33) 5Exercises 15
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1Intext Questions (Page 22)3 questions
Q.1Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels?v
Answer:

Curd and sour foods contain acids. Acids react with copper and brass to form soluble metal salts, which can make the food poisonous and unfit to eat. Therefore such substances should not be kept in copper or brass vessels.

Q.2Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal? Illustrate with an example. How will you test for the presence of this gas?v
Answer:

Hydrogen gas is usually liberated. For example, zinc reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to form zinc sulphate and hydrogen: Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂. The gas is tested by bringing a burning candle near it; hydrogen burns with a pop sound.

Q.3Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction if one of the compounds formed is calcium chloride.v
Answer:

The gas is carbon dioxide, so compound A is calcium carbonate. The balanced equation is: CaCO₃ + 2HCl → CaCl₂ + CO₂ + H₂O. Carbon dioxide extinguishes a burning candle.

2Intext Questions (Page 25)6 questions
Q.1Why do HCl, HNO₃, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?v
Answer:

HCl and HNO₃ ionise in water to produce H⁺/H₃O⁺ ions, which are responsible for acidic character. Alcohol and glucose contain hydrogen, but they do not ionise in water to produce H⁺ ions, so their aqueous solutions are not acidic.

Q.2Why does an aqueous solution of an acid conduct electricity?v
Answer:

An aqueous acid produces ions in water, mainly H⁺ or H₃O⁺ ions along with negative ions. These ions carry charge through the solution, so the solution conducts electricity.

Q.3Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper?v
Answer:

Dry HCl gas does not produce H⁺/H₃O⁺ ions in the absence of water. Since acidic behaviour is shown only when these ions are present in aqueous solution, dry HCl does not change dry litmus paper.

Q.4While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to the acid?v
Answer:

Dilution of concentrated acid is highly exothermic. If water is added to acid, the heat produced may cause the mixture to splash. Adding acid slowly to a larger volume of water lets the heat dissipate safely.

Q.5How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H₃O⁺) affected when a solution of an acid is diluted?v
Answer:

When an acid is diluted, the number of H₃O⁺ ions per unit volume decreases. Therefore the concentration of hydronium ions decreases and the pH increases.

Q.6How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻) affected when excess base is dissolved in a solution of sodium hydroxide?v
Answer:

Adding excess base increases the concentration of OH⁻ ions in the solution. The solution becomes more basic and its pH increases.

3Intext Questions (Page 28)4 questions
Q.1You have two solutions, A and B. The pH of solution A is 6 and pH of solution B is 8. Which solution has more hydrogen ion concentration? Which of this is acidic and which one is basic?v
Answer:

Solution A has more hydrogen ion concentration because lower pH means higher H⁺ concentration. Solution A (pH 6) is acidic, while solution B (pH 8) is basic.

Q.2What effect does the concentration of H⁺(aq) ions have on the nature of the solution?v
Answer:

The concentration of H⁺(aq) ions determines the acidic nature of a solution. Higher H⁺ concentration makes the solution more acidic and lowers its pH.

Q.3Do basic solutions also have H⁺(aq) ions? If yes, then why are these basic?v
Answer:

Yes. Basic aqueous solutions also contain some H⁺ ions because water ionises slightly. They are basic because the concentration of OH⁻ ions is greater than the concentration of H⁺ ions.

Q.4Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields with quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate)?v
Answer:

A farmer treats the soil with quick lime, slaked lime or chalk when the soil is too acidic. These basic substances neutralise the excess acid and make the soil suitable for plant growth.

4Intext Questions (Page 33)5 questions
Q.1What is the common name of the compound Ca(ClO)₂?v
Answer:

The common name of Ca(ClO)₂ is bleaching powder.

Q.2Name the substance which on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder.v
Answer:

Dry slaked lime, Ca(OH)₂, gives bleaching powder when treated with chlorine.

Q.3Name the sodium compound which is used for softening hard water.v
Answer:

Washing soda, sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na₂CO₃·10H₂O), is used for softening hard water.

Q.4What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrocarbonate is heated? Give the equation of the reaction involved.v
Answer:

On heating, sodium hydrogencarbonate decomposes to give sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water: 2NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O.

Q.5Write an equation to show the reaction between Plaster of Paris and water.v
Answer:

Plaster of Paris combines with water to form gypsum and sets hard: CaSO₄·½H₂O + 1½H₂O → CaSO₄·2H₂O.

5Exercises15 questions
Q.1A solution turns red litmus blue, its pH is likely to bev
  1. a. 1
  2. b. 4
  3. c. 5
  4. d. 10
Solution

A basic solution turns red litmus blue. Among the options, pH 10 is basic.

Answer:

(d) 10

Q.2A solution reacts with crushed egg-shells to give a gas that turns lime-water milky. The solution containsv
  1. a. NaCl
  2. b. HCl
  3. c. LiCl
  4. d. KCl
Solution

Egg-shells contain calcium carbonate. Acids react with carbonates to release CO₂, which turns lime-water milky.

Answer:

(b) HCl

Q.310 mL of a solution of NaOH is found to be completely neutralised by 8 mL of a given solution of HCl. If we take 20 mL of the same solution of NaOH, the amount HCl solution (the same solution as before) required to neutralise it will bev
  1. a. 4 mL
  2. b. 8 mL
  3. c. 12 mL
  4. d. 16 mL
Solution

The volume of acid required is directly proportional to the volume of alkali of the same concentration. Doubling NaOH from 10 mL to 20 mL doubles HCl from 8 mL to 16 mL.

Answer:

(d) 16 mL

Q.4Which one of the following types of medicines is used for treating indigestion?v
  1. a. Antibiotic
  2. b. Analgesic
  3. c. Antacid
  4. d. Antiseptic
Solution

Indigestion caused by excess stomach acid is relieved by antacids, which neutralise the acid.

Answer:

(c) Antacid

Q.5Write word equations and then balanced equations for the reaction taking place when (a) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with zinc granules. (b) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with magnesium ribbon. (c) dilute sulphuric acid reacts with aluminium powder. (d) dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with iron filings.v
Answer:

(a) Zinc + sulphuric acid → zinc sulphate + hydrogen; Zn + H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ + H₂
(b) Magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen; Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂
(c) Aluminium + sulphuric acid → aluminium sulphate + hydrogen; 2Al + 3H₂SO₄ → Al₂(SO₄)₃ + 3H₂
(d) Iron + hydrochloric acid → iron chloride + hydrogen; Fe + 2HCl → FeCl₂ + H₂

Q.6Compounds such as alcohols and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorised as acids. Describe an Activity to prove it.v
Answer:

Use the electrical conductivity activity. Place two nails in a cork, connect them to a battery, bulb and switch, and dip them in solutions separately. Dilute HCl or H₂SO₄ makes the bulb glow because it produces ions. Glucose and alcohol solutions do not make the bulb glow because they do not produce H⁺ ions in water. This shows that hydrogen-containing compounds are acidic only if they ionise to give H⁺/H₃O⁺ ions.

Q.7Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rain water does?v
Answer:

Distilled water has almost no dissolved salts or ions, so it does not conduct electricity. Rain water dissolves carbon dioxide and other substances from air and contains ions; these ions conduct electricity.

Q.8Why does dry HCl gas not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water?v
Answer:

Dry HCl does not ionise to produce H⁺/H₃O⁺ ions without water. Since acidic behaviour depends on these ions, dry HCl gas does not show acidic behaviour.

Q.9Five solutions A, B, C, D and E when tested with universal indicator showed pH as 4, 1, 11, 7 and 9, respectively. Which solution is (a) neutral? (b) strongly alkaline? (c) strongly acidic? (d) weakly acidic? (e) weakly alkaline? Arrange the pH in increasing order of hydrogen-ion concentration.v
Answer:

A = pH 4, B = pH 1, C = pH 11, D = pH 7, E = pH 9.
(a) Neutral: D.
(b) Strongly alkaline: C.
(c) Strongly acidic: B.
(d) Weakly acidic: A.
(e) Weakly alkaline: E.
Increasing order of hydrogen-ion concentration is: pH 11 < pH 9 < pH 7 < pH 4 < pH 1, so C < E < D < A < B.

Q.10Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is added to test tube A, while acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is added to test tube B. Amount and concentration taken for both the acids are same. In which test tube will the fizzing occur more vigorously and why?v
Answer:

Fizzing will be more vigorous in test tube A. HCl is a strong acid and produces a higher concentration of H⁺ ions than acetic acid, which is a weak acid. Therefore magnesium reacts faster with HCl, releasing hydrogen gas more rapidly.

Q.11Fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd? Explain your answer.v
Answer:

The pH will decrease below 6. As milk turns into curd, bacteria produce lactic acid, increasing acidity and lowering the pH.

Q.12A milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk. (a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline? (b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd?v
Answer:

(a) Baking soda is basic, so it makes the milk slightly alkaline and prevents it from souring quickly.
(b) Curd forms when lactic acid makes milk acidic. The added baking soda neutralises the acid formed, so it takes longer for enough acid to accumulate and set the milk as curd.

Q.13Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture-proof container. Explain why?v
Answer:

Plaster of Paris reacts with water to form gypsum and sets into a hard solid: CaSO₄·½H₂O + 1½H₂O → CaSO₄·2H₂O. If exposed to moisture during storage, it will harden and become useless for moulding.

Q.14What is a neutralisation reaction? Give two examples.v
Answer:

A neutralisation reaction is a reaction in which an acid reacts with a base to form salt and water. Examples: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O; H₂SO₄ + 2KOH → K₂SO₄ + 2H₂O.

Q.15Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda.v
Answer:

Uses of washing soda: it is used for softening hard water and in the manufacture of glass, soap and paper. Uses of baking soda: it is used in baking powder to make cakes and bread soft and spongy, and as an ingredient of antacids or soda-acid fire extinguishers.