CHAPTER 2

Question-1
You have been provided with three test tubes. One of them contains distilled water and the
other two contain an acidic solution and a basic solution respectively. If you are given only red
litmus paper, how will you identify the contents of each test tube?
Solution:
The contents of each test tube would be identified by change in colour of red litmus paper. For
example, when we wet the red litmus paper with the basic solution, it changes into blue colour.
Put the changed blue litmus paper in the solution which turns the blue to red will be the acidic
solution. The solution, which has no effect on any litmus paper, will be neutral and hence it will
be distilled water.
Question-2
Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels?
Solution:
Curd and other sour foodstuffs contain acids, which can react with the metal of the vessel to
form poisonous metal compounds which can cause food poisoning and damage our health.

Question-3
Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal?
Solution:
When an acid reacts with metal, a salt and hydrogen gas is formed. i.e

Question-4
Metal compound A reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce effervescence. The
gas evolved extinguishes a burning candle. Write a balanced chemical equation for the
reaction if one of the compounds formed is calcium chloride.
Solution:
The gas that extinguishes a burning candle is carbon dioxide, which is formed by the
action of dilute hydrochloric acid on a metal carbonate and produces effervescence.
Now, since one of the compounds formed is calcium chloride, it shows that the metal
compound is calcium carbonate. Thus, the metal compound A is calcium carbonate
(CaCO3). Calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form calcium
chloride, carbon dioxide and water. This can be written as:

Question-5
Why do HCl, HNO3, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of
compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?
Solution:
An acid is a substance, which dissociates on dissolving in water to produce hydrogen
ions [H+(aq) ions]. The acids like HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 and CH3COOH, etc., show acidic
character because they dissociate in aqueous solutions to produce hydrogen ions,
H+(aq) ions.
The compounds such as glucose and alcohol also contain hydrogen but they do not
show acidic character. The aqueous solutions of glucose and alcohol do not show acidic
character because the hydrogen in them does not separate out as hydrogen ions
[H+ (aq) ions] on dissolving in water.

Question-6
Why does an aqueous solution of acid conduct electricity?
Solution:
The aqueous solution of an acid conducts electricity due to the presence of charged
particles called ions in it.

Question-7
Why does dry HCl gas not change the colour of the dry litmus paper?
Solution:
Dry HCl gas does not contain any hydrogen ions in it, so it does not show acidic
behaviour. In fact, dry HCl gas does not change the colour of dry litmus paper as it has
no hydrogen ions [H+(aq) ions] in it.

Question-8
While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water
and not water to the acid?
Solution:
Diluting an acid should be done by adding concentrated acid to water gradually with
stirring and not by adding water to concentrated acid.
The heat is evolved gradually when a concentrated acid is added to water for diluting an
acid and the large amount of water is easily absorbed.
If, however, water is added to concentrated acid to dilute it, a large amount of heat is
evolved at once. The heat generated may cause the mixture to splash the acid on our
face or clothes and cause acid burns.

Question-9
How is the concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) affected when a solution of an acid
is diluted?
Solution:
When the concentrated solution of an acid is diluted by mixing water, the concentration
of hydronium ions H3O+ per unit volume decreases.
Question-10
How is the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) affected when excess base is
dissolved in water?
Solution:
When the solution of a base is diluted by mixing more water in it, the concentration of
hydroxide ions (OH–ions) per unit volume decreases.
Question-11
You have two solutions A and B. The pH of solution A is 6 and pH of solution B is 8.
i. Which solution has more hydrogen ion concentration?
ii. Which of this is acidic and which one is basic?
Solution:
The pH of a solution is inversely proportional to its hydrogen ion concentration. This
means that the solution having lower pH will have more hydrogen ion concentration. In
this case, solution A(having a lower pH of 6) will have more hydrogen ion
concentration.Solution A is acidic and solution B is basic.

Question-12
What effect does the concentration of H+(aq) ions have on the nature of the solution?
Solution:
Acids produce hydrogen ions in water. So, when an acid is added to water, the
concentration of hydrogen ions in water increases. The solution of acid thus formed will
have more of hydrogen ions and it will be acidic in nature.

Question-13
Do basic solutions also have H+(aq) ions? If yes, why are these basic?
Solution:
No, the basic solution doesn’t have H+ ions as the solution has excess of hydroxide
ions.

Question-14
Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields with
quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium
carbonate)?
Solution:
Most often the soil in the fields is too acidic. If the soil is too acidic (having low pH), it is
treated with materials like quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide)
or chalk (calcium carbonate). Thus, a farmer should add lime or slaked lime in his fields
when the soil is too acidic.

Question-15
What is the common name of the compound CaOCl2?
Solution:
The common name of the compound CaOCl2 is bleaching powder.

Question-16
Name the substance that on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching powder.
Solution:
Calcium hydroxide is the substance that on treatment with chlorine yields bleaching
powder.
Question-17
Name the sodium compound, which is used, for softening hard water.
Solution:
Sodium carbonate (washing soda) is used for softening hard water.

Question-18
What will happen if a solution of sodium hydro carbonate is heated? Give the equation
of the reaction involved.
Sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide are evolved when sodium hydro carbonate is
heated.

Question-19
Write an equation to show the reaction between plaster of Paris and water.
Solution:
Plaster of Paris has a very remarkable property of setting into a hard mass on wetting
with water. So, when water is added to plaster of Paris, it sets into a hard mass in about
half an hour. The setting of plaster of Paris is due to the hydration crystals of gypsum,
which set to form a hard, solid mass.
Question-20
Why does distilled water not conduct electricity, whereas rainwater does?
Solution:
Distilled water does not conduct electricity because it does not contain any ionic
compound (like acids, bases or salts) dissolved in it. On the other hand, rain water
conducts electricity. This can be explained as follows: Rain water, while falling to the
earth through the atmosphere, dissolves an acidic gas carbon dioxide from the air and
forms carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid provides hydrogen ions, H+(aq), and
carbonate ions, CO2-3 (aq), to rain water. So, due to the presence of carbonic acid (which
provides ions to rain water), the rain water conducts electricity.

Question-21
Why do acids not show acidic behaviour in the absence of water?
Solution:
The acidic behaviour of acid is due to the presence of hydrogen ions. The acids will not
show its acidic behaviour in the absence of water, this is because the acids produce
hydrogen ions only in the presence of water.

Question-22
Five solutions A, B, C, D and E when tested with universal indicator showed pH as 4, 1,
11, 7 and 9 respectively. Which solution is?
(i) Neutral?
(ii) Strongly alkaline?
(iii) Strongly acidic?
(iv) Weakly acidic?
(v) Weakly alkaline? Arrange the pH in increasing order of hydrogen-ion concentration.
Solution:

Question-23
Equal lengths of magnesium ribbons are taken in test tubes A and B. Hydrochloric acid
(HCl) is added to test-tube A while acetic acid (CH3COOH) is added to test-tube B. In
which test-tube will fizzing occur more vigorously and why?
Solution:
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid whereas hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid.
Fizzing occurs in the test tube due to the evolution of hydrogen gas by the action of acid
on magnesium ribbon. Since hydrochloric acid is a strong acid a large amount of
hydrogen gas is liberated in the test tube A. So fizzing occurs more vigorously in test
tube A .
Question-24
Fresh milk has a pH of 6. How do you think the pH will change as it turns into curd?
Explain.
Solution:
The pH will change to below 6, as lactic acid is formed when milk turns into curd.

Question-25
Plaster of Paris should be stored in a moisture-proof container. Why?
Solution:
The presence of moisture can affect the slow setting of plaster of Paris by bringing
about its hydration. This will make the plaster of Paris useless after some time.
Question-26
What is a neutralization reaction? Give two examples.
Solution:
The reaction of an acid and a base, giving rise to the corresponding salt and water is
called neutralization reaction.
Examples:
NaOH + HCl —> NaCl + H2O
Mg(OH)2 + H2CO3 —> MgCO3 + 2H2O

Question-27
Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda.
Solution:
Washing soda
1. It is often used as an electrolyte.
2. Domestically it is used as a water softener during laundry.
Baking soda
1. It is used to test garden soil for acidity. If it develops bubbles, the soil is too acidic.
2. Washing a car with it can remove dead bug bodies without damaging the paint.

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science Chapter 2 (MCQs)

[1 Mark each]
Question 1.
Equal pieces of zinc granules are dropped in four test tubes. Following substances are
poured in all the four test tubes. The reaction will be vigorous with [CCE 2014]
(a) CH3COOH
(b) HCl
(c) sodium bicarbonate solution
(d) lemon juice
Answer:
(b) Strong adds like HCl react vigorously with active metals like Zn and form metal salt
and evolve H2 gas.

Question 2.
Which of the following statements shows the property of an acid? [CCE 2014]
(a) It turns blue litmus to red
(b) It is sour in taste
(c) It has no effect on red litmus
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) An acid turns blue litmus red. Thus, it has no effect on red litmus and acids are sour
in taste.

Question 3.
A drop of a liquid sample was put on the pH paper. It was observed that the colour of
the pH paper turned blue. The liquid sample is [CCE 2014]
(a) lemon juice
(b) sodium bicarbonate solution
(c) distilled water
(d) hydrochloric acid
Answer:
(b) The liquid sample is of sodium bicarbonate (NaHC3) solution. It is a basic solution.
And we know that a basic solution turns pH paper blue.

Question 4.
Two solutions X and Y were found to have pH value of 4 and 10 respectively. The
inference that can be drawn is [CCE 2014]
(a) X is a base and Y is an acid
(b) Both X and Y are acidic solutions
(c) X is an acid and Yis a base
(d) Both X and Y are bases
Answer:
(c) Any solution having pH > 7 will be a base while the solution having pH < 7 will surely
be an acid. Hence, it can be concluded that X is an acid (pH=4, i.e. < 7) and Yis a base
(pH =10, i.e. > 7).

Question 5.
A student was asked to collect apparatus from lab store, for doing experiment of pH of
given sample. Identify the article which he is not supposed to pick. [CCE 2014]
(a) pH paper
(b) Dropper
(c) Litmus paper
(d) Petri dish
Answer:
(d) Petri dish is not required for doing experiment of pH.

Question 6.
Which one of the following would you need to identify the gas that evolve when you heat
NaOH solution with zinc metal? [CCE 2014]
(a) Red litmus solution
(b) Blue litmus solution
(c) A burning splinter / matchstick
(d) Lime water
Answer:
(c) When a base like NaOH is treated with any active metal like Zn, it produces H2 gas.
And the presence of the hydrogen gas can be tested by bringing a burning splinter/
matchstick near the gas produced. The gas will burn with a pop sound confirming the
presence of hydrogen gas.

Question 7.
A solution has pH value of 5. On adding 10 mL of NaCl to it, what will be the pH of the
new solution?
(a) More than 5
(b) Less than 5
(c) Only seven
(d) No change in pH
Answer:
(d) As NaCl is a neutral solution due to its complete ionization in H2O and has pH = 7.
Thus, it will not affect the pH of the solution. Hence, the pH of the solution will remain
unaffected.

Question 8.
A salt is dissolved in water. The pH of this salt solution was found to be 7 by measuring
the pH with a universal indicator paper. The salt is most likely to be
(a) Na2CO3
(b) KCl
(c) NH4Cl
(d) CH3COONa
Answer:
(b) Salts which are completely ionisable in water are said to be neutral salts and their
pH is equal to 7. Among the given salts, only KCl is completely ionisable in the following
manner: KCl (aq) —-> K+ + Cl
Hence, the pH of KCl will be 7.

Question 9.
A student performed an experiment using zinc granules and . sodium carbonate with
sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid under different
conditions as shown below.
In which set up, no gas is evolved?
(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
Answer:
(d) Gas will not evolve in the case of IV set up as NaOH does not react with sodium
carbonate.

Question 10.
Four set ups as given below are arranged to identify the gas evolved when dilute
hydrochloric acid was added to zinc granules. Which is the most appropriate set up?

(a) I
(b) II
(c) IV
(d) III
Answer:
(c) The gas evolved can be tested as shown in IV set up because to evolve H 2 gas
delivery tube, should not dip in the acid.
Question 11.
Four students I, II, III and IV were asked to examine the changes for blue and red litmus
paper strips with dil. HCl (Solution A) and dil. NaOH (Solutions). The following
observations were reported by the 4 students. The sign …………. indicates no colour
change. [CCE2015 ]

Litmus A B Litmus A B

I Blue — red Blue red —

II Red — blue Red — blue

III Blue red red Blue blue blue

IV Red blue blue Red red red

The correct observation would be of student

(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
Answer:
(c) The correct observation is taken by student III because HCl (solution A) is an acid
which turns blue litmus red and dil. NaOH (solution B) is a base which turns red litmus
blue.

Question 12.
A sample of soil is mixed with water and allowed to settle. The clear supernatant
solution turns the pH paper yellowish orange. Which of the following would change the
colour of this pH paper to greenish blue?[NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Lemon juice
(b) Vinegar
(c) Common salt
(d) An antacid
Answer:
(d) As pH paper turns greenish blue for weakly basic compound and antacids contain
weak base like Mg(OH)2. So, an antacid would change the colour of this pH paper to
greenish blue. Other options (a) and (b) contain acids and option (c) is a neutral salt.

Question-1
What is an acid?
Solution:
An acid is a hydrogen-containing chemical compound which, when dissolved in water,
gives hydrogen ion (H+) or hydrated hydrogen ion (H2O. H+) or hydronium ion (H3O+).

Question-2
What are bases and alkalies?
Solution:
Oxides and hydroxides of metals and metal like radicals (e.g., NH4+ ions) are called
bases. Bases ionise to give OH– ions in aqueous solution. Bases may be soluble or
insoluble in water. The soluble bases are called alkalies. Thus all alkalies are bases but
all bases are not alkalies.
Examples
NaOH and Cu (OH)2 both are bases, but, since NaOH is soluble in water, it is an alkali.
On the other hand, since Cu (OH)2 is insoluble in water, it is not an alkali. Other
examples of alkalies are KOH, Ca (OH)2 and NH4OH.

Question-3
Define pH.
Solution:
pH of a given solution is the negative logarithm to the base 10 of the hydrogen ion
concentration, [H+] expressed in g ions/lit or moles/lit. Thus
pH=- log1- [H+].
Question-4
What are the practical applications of neutralisation reactions?
Solution:
Being alkaline in nature, cold milk is used to neutralise the acidity produced by HCl
present in the gastric juice in the stomach.
Astronauts in space ships use this reaction to neutralise the dangerous levels of CO 2.
Farmers add slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to reduce acidity of soil.
Sting of ants and bees contains formic acid. This can be neutralised by rubbing soap,
which contains free sodium hydroxide.
Persons suffering from acidity are given antacid tablets, containing magnesium
hydroxide which neutralises excess HCl produced, in stomach. Alternately, they are
advised to sip cold milk, which neutralises HCl.

Question-5
Why the salts solutions of strong acid and strong alkali are neutral?
Solution:
Let us take the example of potassium sulphate, which is a salt of strong acid [sulphuric
acid] and strong base [potassium hydroxide solution].
From the above equation, it is clear that water is always feebly ionised and hence
solution of potassium sulphate is neutral in nature.

Question-6
What is an universal indicator?
Solution:
Universal indicator is a solution, which undergoes several colour, changes over a wide
range of pH. The colour is used to ‘indicate’ pH directly. Universal indicators are usually
mixtures of several indicators.

Question-7
Why common indicators cannot determine pH value of a solution?
Solution:
Common indicators, such as litmus; methyl orange and phenolphthalein can easily tell,
us whether a solution is acidic or alkaline, but they cannot easily tell how much a given
acidic solution is stronger than another acidic solution. It means they cannot really tell
us the pH value of different acidic or alkaline solutions.
In case of litmus, we cannot tell about pH values of 5,6 and 7. Similarly, in case of
methyl orange pH values between 3 and 8 will not be very accurate.

Question-8
What are the general characteristics of acids?
Solution:
They have a sour taste
They turn blue litmus to red and methyl orange to red.
They react with active metals to give hydrogen
They decompose carbonates to produced carbon dioxide and water.

Question-9
What is called deliquescent? Give examples.
Solution:
Compounds that take up enough water from the air to dissolve in the water they have
taken up are called deliquescent. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and Sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) are the examples of deliquescent.

Question-10
Write the uses of chlorines.
Solution:
Chlorine is used in the production of bleaching powder.
Chlorine is used for making solvents for dry cleaning.
Chlorine is used to sterilise drinking water supply, and the water in swimming pools.
It is used in the production of hydrochloric acid.