Question

Name three common bases, salts and acids

Answer 1

Definition of compound: A compound is a pure substance which is made up of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion by mass.

Chemical compounds can generally be classified in two ways.

1. The compounds are classified into three types based on their properties.
2. The compounds are classified into two types based on the source or constituent elements.

Classification of Compounds Based on Their Properties:

Compounds can be divided into three classes based on their properties namely,

• Acids
• Bases
• Salts

1. Acids:

Acids are generally sour in taste. They posses H⁺ ions.

Sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$, Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, and Nitric acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ are three common acids.

1. Bases:

Bases are generally bitter in taste. They posses OH^- ions.

Sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$, Potassium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{KOH}\right)$ and calcium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\right)$ are common bases.

1. Salts:

Normally, Salts are formed by the chemical combination of Acids and Bases dissolved in water

Sodium chloride$\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$, Calcium nitrate$\left(\mathrm{Ca}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2\right)$, and Zinc sulphate$\left({\mathrm{ZnSO}}_4\right)$ are common salts.