Mg(OH) 2 (aq) + H 2 SO 4 (aq) → MgSO 4 (aq) + 2H 2 O(l)- Acids react with carbonates to release carbon dioxide. An example:
The most common theory used in first-year chemistry is the Arrhenius
Theory, which states that an acid is a substance that yields hydrogen ions in an
aqueous solution. Although we speak of these hydrogen ions in the solution, they
are really not separate ions but become attached to the oxygen of the polar water
molecule to form the H 3 O+ ion (the hydronium ion). Thus, it is really this
hydronium ion we are concerned with in an acid solution.
The general reaction for the dissociation of an acid, HX, is commonly
written as
HX H+ + X−
To show the formation of the hydronium ion, H 3 O+, the complete equation is:HX + H 2 O H 3 O+ + X−
A list of common acids and their formulas is given in Chapter 4, Table 7; an
explanation of the naming procedures for acids precedes Table 7.
Bases
Bases may also be defined by some operational definitions that are based on
experimental observations. Some of the important ones are as follows:
- Bases are conductors of electricity in an aqueous solution. Their
degrees of conduction depend on their degrees of ionization. The degrees of
ionization of some common bases are shown in Table 11.
TIP
Learn the names and formulas of these common bases.Table 11. Degrees of Ionization of Common Bases