Because of the prevalence and importance of acids, they have been used and studied for hundreds of years. Over time, the definitions of acid and base have been refined
Students learn to:
- outline the historical development of ideas about acids including those of:
- outline the Brönsted-Lowry theory of acids and bases
- describe the relationship between an acid and its conjugate base and a base and its conjugate acid
- identify a range of salts which form acidic, basic or neutral solutions and explain their acidic, neutral or basic nature
- identify conjugate acid/base pairs
- identify amphiprotic substances and construct equations to describe their behaviour in acidic and basic solutions
- identify neutralisation as a proton transfer reaction which is exothermic
- describe the correct technique for conducting titrations and preparation of standard solutions
- qualitatively describe the effect of buffers with reference to a specific example in a natural system
Students:
- gather and process information from secondary sources to trace developments in understanding and describing acid/base reactions
- choose equipment and perform a first-hand investigation to identify the pH of a range of salt solutions
- perform a first-hand investigation and solve problems using titrations and including the preparation of standard solutions, and use available evidence to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the reaction between selected acids and bases
- perform a first-hand investigation to determine the concentration of a domestic acidic substance using computer-based technologies
- analyse information from secondary sources to assess the use of neutralisation reactions as a safety measure or to minimise damage in accidents or chemical spills