In any chemistry laboratory, we find acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid. These acids are called mineral acids because they can be prepared from naturally occurring compounds called minerals. Mineral acids are generally stronger than household acids, and should be handled with great care because they can burn skin and clothing.

Acids taste sour. Citric acid is responsible for the sour taste of lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges. Acetic acid is responsible for the sour taste of vinegar.

Acids turn litmus (or indicator papers) red. Litmus is a vegetable dye that may be either red or blue, depending on the acidity. When a sample of an acid is placed on red litmus paper, the color of the litmus does not change. Red litmus has been previously treated with acid. Adding more acid does not chan

Acids release hydrogen in water solutions. When an acid dissolves in water, the acid ionizes, releasing both hydrogen ions and ions of a nonmetal or nonmetallic polyatomic ion. Thus, when hydrochloric acid is dissolved in water, the acid ionizes, forming hydrogen ions and chloride ions, as shown in the following equation:

CaO (s) + HOH (l) à Ca(OH)2 (aq) plus considerable heat released

Sulfuric acid is the chemical most widely used in industry. Sulfuric acid is also used to make other acids such as hydrochloric and nitric acid because the boiling point of sulfuric acid is higher that that of other acids. This allows the acid being produced to be distilled and collected separately from the starting material.

Sulfuric acid is also used to remove the surface oxide layers on metals (pickling) before the metals are coated with materials that prevent rusting. For example, before iron is coated with chromium (in chromium plating), the iron is dipped into dilute sulfuric acid to remove the iron oxide normally present on the surface of the iron. Another important use of sulfuric acid is the storage cell. In a lead storage cell, dilute sulfuric acid serves as the electrolyte through which ions move between the lead plates, acting as the cathode, and the spongy lead dioxide, acting as the anode. Several such cells connected together make up the type of storage battery used in automobiles.

Na2CO3 (s) à 2 Na1+ (aq) + CO32- (aq) HOH à H1+ (aq) + OH1- (aq)

Hydrochloric acid, like sulfuric acid, is used to clean metals. Hydrochloric acid is also used to clean brick and tile; it is used in the manufacture of sugar and glue. Hydrochloric acid is produced in small quantities in the stomach where the acid aids digestion.

2) Direct combination -- When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, a salt is generally formed. For example, when the metal magnesium is burned in chlorine gas, the salt magnesium chloride is formed.

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