Acids and Alkalis

Aims

Pupils should gain an understanding of:

• The fact that pH is a measure of the acidity of a solution;
• The use of indicators to classify solutions as acidic, neutral or alkaline;
• The reactions of acids with metals and bases, including carbonates, to form salts;
• How acids in the atmosphere can lead to corrosion of metal and chemical weathering of rock;
• Acids being a group of chemicals which have similar properties, some of which makes them dangerous;
• The fact that many common substances are acids;
• The fact that some substances are more acidic than others;
• Indicators being used to classify solutions as acidic or alkaline;
• PH as being a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution;
• The fact that substances can only have a pH when in solution in water;
• Neutralisation of acids using acids;
• Acids being the cause of some problems in the environment.