Flashcards on Neutralisation Reactions: Acids and Alkalis
Neutralisation Reactions: Acids and Alkalis Explained
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Neutralisation (Acids and Bases)
18 cards
Card 1
Question: What is a base and how is an alkali related to it?
Answer: A base is any substance that neutralises an acid to form a salt and water. An alkali is a soluble base.
Card 2
Question: Write the general word equation for a neutralisation reaction.
Answer: acid + base → salt + water
Card 3
Question: What happens during neutralisation in simple terms?
Answer: An acid reacts with a base (or alkali) to make a salt and water, reducing the acidity (raising the pH) of the acid.
Card 4
Question: Give an everyday example of neutralisation used to treat indigestion.
Answer: Antacids like Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) neutralise stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) to form magnesium chloride and water.
Card 5
Question: Write the word equation for magnesium hydroxide reacting with hydrochloric acid.
Answer: magnesium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + water
Card 6
Question: Why are indigestion remedies not very alkaline (about pH 9)?
Answer: So they neutralise excess stomach acid without making the stomach too alkaline, keeping the balance right.
Card 7
Question: Why shouldn't sodium hydroxide (pH 13) be used to neutralise excess stomach acid?
Answer: Because it is too strongly alkaline and would reduce acidity too much, which is unsafe for the stomach.
Card 8
Question: How do toothpastes use neutralisation to protect teeth?
Answer: Toothpastes contain bases (e.g., magnesium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide) that react with acids in the mouth to reduce acidity and help prevent tooth
Card 9
Question: Write a word equation for aluminium hydroxide reacting with hydrochloric acid (as in some toothpastes).
Answer: aluminium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → aluminium chloride + water
Card 10
Question: How were bee and wasp stings traditionally treated using neutralisation?
Answer: Bee stings (acidic) were treated with a weak alkali like baking soda; wasp stings (thought alkaline) were treated with a weak acid like vinegar, aimin