Acids, Salts and Bases

Acids: Species that are proton donors.

When added to water, acids will release H+ ions into solution-

HCl(g) + aq -----> H+(aq) + Cl-

or H2SO4(l) + aq ----> H+(aq) + HSO4-(aq)

Bases: Species that are proton acceptors

Salts form from neutralisation reactions with carbonates, bases or alkalis.

Salt: Any chemical compound formed from an acid when a H+ ion from the acid has been replaced by a metal ion or another positive ion.

General Formulas:

• acid + carbonate ----> salt + CO2 + H2O
• acid + base ----> salt + water
• acid + alkali ----> salt + water