Uses of Acids and Bases
Uses of Acids
1. Vinegar, used in the kitchen, is a liquid containing 3-6% acetic acid. It is used in pickles and in many food preparations.Lemon and orange juice contains citric acid. Citric acid is used in the preparation of effervescent salts and as a food preservative. 2. Acids have been put to many uses in industry. Nitric acid and sulphuric acid are used in the manufacture of fertilizers, dyes, paints, drugs and explosives. 3. Sulphuric acid is used in batteries, which are used in cars, etc. Tannic acid is used in the manufacture of ink and leather. 4. Hydrochloric acid is used to make aqua regia, which is used to dissolve noble metals such as gold and platinum. 5. Sulphuric acid is used in manufacturing fertilizers such as super phosphate, ammonium sulpahte etc. |
Uses of Bases
1.Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is used in the manufacture of soap. It is used in petroleum-refining; in making medicines, paper, pulp, etc. It is used in making rayon. 2. Calcium hydroxide is also known as slaked lime. It is used to neutralize acid in water supplies; in the manufacture of bleaching powder; as a dressing material for acid burns; as an antidote for food poisoning; in the preparation of fungicides and in the mixture of whitewash. It is mixed with sand and water to make mortar which is used in the construction of buildings. It is also used by farmers on the fields to neutralize the harmful effects of acid rain. 3. Ammonium hydroxide is used to remove ink spots from clothes and to remove grease from window-panes. It is used in the cosmetic industry. 4. Alkalis are used in alkaline batteries. Generally, potassium hydroxide is used in such batteries. |
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