Acids, Bases, and Salts

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These skills are usually tested on the SAT Subject Test in Chemistry. You
should be able to...

Describe the properties of an Arrhenius acid and base, and know

the name, formula, and degree of ionization of common acids and

bases.

Explain the Brønsted-Lowry Theory of acids and conjugate

bases.

Draw examples and explain the Lewis Theory of acids–bases.

Determine pH and pOH of solutions.

Solve titration problems and the use of indicators in the process.

Describe how a buffer works.

Explain the formation and naming of salts.

Explain amphoteric substances in relation to acid–base theory.

This chapter will review and strengthen these skills. Be sure to do the
Practice Exercises at the end of the chapter.

What defines an acid? A base? A salt? You must know the different ways that

these interact. You must also know how to determine the pH of a substance and
how to neutralize that same substance.

DEFINITIONS AND PROPERTIES

Acids

TIP

Learn these characteristics of common acids.

There are some characteristic properties by which an acid may be defined. The
most important are: