📝 Chapter Notes & Revision

Acids, Bases and Salts

🏫 MP BoardClass 10Science

📐 Formula & Cheat Sheet (English)

Class 10 Science – Quick Revision Sheet

Chapter: Acids, Bases and Salts


1. Key Definitions

TermDefinition (English)Hindi (optional)
AcidSubstance that donates H⁺ ions (proton) in aqueous solution (Arrhenius) or accepts a pair of electrons (Lewis).अम्ल
BaseSubstance that produces OH⁻ ions in water (Arrhenius) or donates a pair of electrons (Lewis).क्षार
SaltIonic compound formed when an acid reacts with a base, consisting of the cation of the base and the anion of the acid.लवण
NeutralisationReaction of an acid with a base to give a salt + water.निष्पक्षीकरण
pHMeasure of acidity: pH = –log[H⁺].pH
pOHMeasure of basicity: pOH = –log[OH⁻].pOH
Strong Acid/BaseCompletely dissociates in water (≈100 % ionisation).मजबूत अम्ल/क्षार
Weak Acid/BasePartially dissociates in water (≤ 5 % ionisation).कमजोर अम्ल/क्षार
Acidic SaltSalt formed from partial neutralisation of a poly‑basic acid (contains replaceable H⁺).अम्लीय लवण
Basic SaltSalt formed from partial neutralisation of a poly‑basic base (contains OH⁻).क्षारीय लवण
Normal SaltSalt formed from complete neutralisation of a monoprotic acid and a base.सामान्य लवण

2. Fundamental Laws & Concepts

Law / ConceptStatement
Arrhenius Theory (1887)Acid → H⁺ in water; Base → OH⁻ in water.
Bronsted‑Lowry Theory (1923)Acid = proton donor; Base = proton acceptor.
Lewis Theory (1923)Acid = electron‑pair acceptor; Base = electron‑pair donor.
Law of NeutralisationOne mole of H⁺ reacts with one mole of OH⁻ to give one mole of H₂O.
pH + pOH = 14 (at 25 °C)Relates acidity and basicity of aqueous solutions.
Strong Acid/Base pHFor a strong acid of concentration C (mol L⁻¹): <br>pH = –log C <br>For a strong base: <br>pOH = –log C <br>Then use pH = 14 – pOH.
Weak Acid ApproximationFor a weak acid HA with Ka and initial concentration C: <br>[H⁺] ≈ √(Ka · C) <br>pH ≈ ½(pKa – log C).
Indicator PrincipleIndicators change colour at a specific pH range because they are weak acids/bases themselves.

3. Important Formulas

FormulaMeaning
pH = –log[H⁺]Calculates acidity from hydrogen‑ion concentration.
[H⁺] = 10^(–pH)Finds concentration when pH is known.
pOH = –log[OH⁻]Calculates basicity from hydroxide‑ion concentration.
[OH⁻] = 10^(–pOH)Finds hydroxide concentration from pOH.
pH + pOH = 14Relationship at 25 °C (water ion product Kw = 1 × 10⁻¹⁴).
Neutralisation: Acid + Base → Salt + H₂OGeneral equation.
Strong Acid (C mol L⁻¹): pH = –log CComplete dissociation.
Strong Base (C mol L⁻¹): pOH = –log CComplete dissociation.
Weak Acid (HA): [H⁺] ≈ √(Ka·C)Approximation for Ka ≪ 1.
Weak Base (B): [OH⁻] ≈ √(Kb·C)Similar to weak acid.

4. Representative Reactions

Reaction TypeExample EquationNotes
Acid + MetalZn + 2 HCl → ZnCl₂ + H₂↑Hydrogen gas liberated.
Acid + Carbonate2 HCl + CaCO₃ → CaCl₂ + H₂O + CO₂↑Effervescence (CO₂).
Acid + Base (Neutralisation)H₂SO₄ + 2 NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2 H₂OForms normal salt (sodium sulfate).
Poly‑basic Acid – Partial Neutralisation → Acid SaltH₂SO₄ + NaOH → NaHSO₄ + H₂OSodium bisulphate (acidic salt).
Poly‑basic Base – Partial Neutralisation → Basic SaltCa(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ → CaSO₄ + 2 H₂O (complete) <br>Ca(OH)₂ + H₂SO₄ (1 : 0.5) → Ca(OH)SO₄ + H₂O (basic salt)Calcium hydrogen sulphate is a basic salt.
Indicator ReactionPhenolphthalein: colourless (pH < 8.2) → pink (pH > 8.2)Used to detect endpoint of titration.

5. Common Acids, Bases & Salts (Class‑10 Level)

CategoryCommon ExamplesFormula
Strong AcidsHydrochloric, Sulphuric, NitricHCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃
Weak AcidsAcetic, Citric, CarbonicCH₃COOH, C₆H₈O₇, H₂CO₃
Strong BasesSodium hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide, Calcium hydroxideNaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)₂
Weak BasesAmmonia, Aluminium hydroxide (sparingly soluble)NH₃, Al(OH)₃
Normal SaltsSodium chloride, Potassium nitrateNaCl, KNO₃
Acid SaltsSodium hydrogen sulphate, Potassium hydrogen phosphateNaHSO₄, K₂HPO₄
Basic SaltsCalcium carbonate, Magnesium hydroxide (as salt of weak acid)CaCO₃, Mg(OH)₂

6. Quick Tips for Exams

  1. Identify the type of acid/base – strong ⇢ use direct pH = –log C; weak ⇢ use Ka/Kb approximation.
  2. Remember pH + pOH = 14 – handy for converting between acidity and basicity.
  3. Neutralisation stoichiometry – 1 mol H⁺ reacts with 1 mol OH⁻ → 1 mol H₂O. Use this to calculate volumes in titrations.
  4. Acidic vs. Basic salts – look at the number of replaceable H⁺ or OH⁻ left after partial neutralisation.
  5. Indicator colour range – memorize the pH range for common indicators (e.g., methyl orange 3.1–4.4, phenolphthalein 8.2–10).

7. Summary Flow‑Chart

Acid (donates H⁺)  +  Base (accepts H⁺)  →  Salt + H₂O
      |                                 |
Strong  →  Complete dissociation          |
Weak    →  Use Ka/Kb for [H⁺] or [OH⁻]   |

Use the above formulas and concepts to solve numerical problems, write balanced equations, and identify salts in NCERT‑style questions. Good luck!