Chemistry Guide (5 units)

SNC2DG
Activity VIII: Properties of ACIDS AND BASES
Objective
1. Understand the typical properties of acids and bases
Evaluation
Hand in a lab report along with a signed copy.
Read pages 288-298

LAB: CHARACTERISTICS OF ACID AND BASES

PURPOSE : To Investigate the general properties of acids and bases.

MATERIALS : Acids and bases ( each dissolved in water ), test tubes, baking soda, magnesium, litmus
paper, bromothymol blue indicator

METHOD

1 Make a chart like the one below:

2 For each acid perform the tests below. Use about 1/4 test tube of acid for each test. Rinse
out the test tube between tests.

ACIDS BASES WATER

Hydrochloric
acid Formula
TEST
HCl Acetic acid Sodium Hydroxide Potassium Hydroxide
Formula HC2H3O2 Formula NaOH Formula KOH

Baking soda

Magnesium

Red and blue

litmus paper

Bromothymol Blue

Taste (do not taste)

Feel (do not feel) N/A N/A

September Page
2014 13
 a) Test 1 : Add a 1/4 spoonful of baking soda to the acid.

b) Test 2 : Add a small strip of magnesium to the acid.

Place a strip of blue litmus paper in the acid. Record what happens. Do the same
c) Test 3 : with the red litmus paper.

d) Test 4: Add 2 drops of bromothymol blue to the acid, gently swirl and record what
happens.
e) Test 5: DO NOT TASTE OR FEEL ACIDS OR BASES. Read in your textbook (pg
293-294) how acids and bases taste and feel. Record one or more of the following tastes:
bitter, salty, sour, sweet, tasteless. f) Repeat Tests for the bases.

g) Repeat Tests for water

QUESTIONS

1. Acid and bases can be distinguished from each other based on physical and chemical
properties.
a) Summarize ALL of the properties that the acids have in common based on your lab
results.
b) Summarize ALL of the properties that the bases have in common based on your lab
results.

2 Why did you do separate tests for water?

3 a) What is common to the formulae of the acids? b) What is common to the formulae of
the bases?

4 One acid was stronger than the other. Which acid was stronger and state reason(s) for
your choice?