topic 2: acids and alkalis

In this unit you will learn about acids and alkalis. You will carry out experiments with these chemicals, including neutralization.

3.2 Chemical and material behaviour

• Sort common materials into acids and alkalis
• Explain some properties of acids and alkali
• Recognise the common chemical properties of acids and alkalis

Key Terms

acids
alkali
base
Universal indicator                   

pH
sour
corrosive
cabbage juice

irritant
bitter
hydrogen           

mineral acids
organic acids
hydroxides

indicators 
litmus paper
neutral

Class Materials:

Acids and Akalis Are Everywhere
Acidic Properties worksheet
pH Scale Activity Sheet
Acids and Alkali Wordsearch
Litmus Data Sheet
Acids and Alkali practical
Alien Juice Bar worksheet
Neutralisation practical
Useful neutralisation worksheet
Acid and Alkali revision poster

Useful Websites

Alien Juice Bar
BBC Bitesize
Acids and Alkali Quiz
pH Experiment
Neutrilization animation
Try this website with quizzes and games about the topic.

Learning Checklist

I know that wasps and bees inject chemicals when they sting
I know that there are natural acids and alkalis
I know that wasp stings are alkaline
I know that bee stings are acidic
I know the names of three mineral acids
I know that indicators can identify acids and alkalis
I know that indigestion medicines rely on neutralisation
I know how to use a pH meter
I know how stings may be neutralised
I know the colours produced by indicators such as litmus and red cabbage
I know the difference between strong and weak acids and alkalis
I know that in neutralisation, hydrogen from acids reacts with hydroxide from alkalis
I can distribuish between strong and concentrated, dilute and weak when talking about acids and alkalis
I an write and explain formulae equations for neutralisation
I can give examples of exothermic and endothermic reactions