Acids, Bases and Salts – Class 10 CBSE Science | Chapter 2

Course Overview

Welcome to Acids, Bases and Salts, an important chapter in Class 10 CBSE Science. This course is designed to help students understand the properties of acids and bases, their chemical reactions, the importance of the pH scale, and the preparation and uses of important salts.

Through simple explanations, balanced chemical equations, everyday examples, and step-by-step problem-solving, students will develop a strong foundation in Chemistry and prepare effectively for school examinations and CBSE board examinations.

This course follows the NCERT Class 10 Science curriculum and focuses on conceptual understanding, important chemical reactions, practical applications, and examination-oriented preparation.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the properties and characteristics of acids and bases.

• Differentiate between acids, bases, and neutral substances.

• Identify acids and bases using natural and synthetic indicators.

• Understand the colour changes of litmus, methyl orange, phenolphthalein, and turmeric in acidic and basic solutions.

• Explain the reactions of acids with metals, metal carbonates, metal hydrogen carbonates, and bases.

• Write and balance important chemical equations involving acids and bases.

• Understand why acids show acidic behaviour in aqueous solutions.

• Explain the importance of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions.

• Understand the role of water in the ionisation of acids and bases.

• Learn the pH scale and its applications in everyday life.

• Explain neutralisation reactions and their practical applications.

• Understand the reactions of metallic oxides and non-metallic oxides.

• Learn the preparation, properties, and uses of common salts.

• Understand the importance of sodium hydroxide, bleaching powder, baking soda, washing soda, and plaster of Paris.

• Solve NCERT questions, MCQs, assertion–reason questions, and important board-examination questions.

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Understanding Acids and Bases

• Introduction to acids and bases

• Properties of acids and bases

• Naturally occurring acids

• Common examples of acidic and basic substances

• Differences between acids and bases

• Strong and weak acids and bases: introductory concepts

Module 2: Indicators and Their Colour Changes

• What are acid-base indicators?

• Natural indicators

• Synthetic indicators

• Litmus paper and its colour changes

• Methyl orange and phenolphthalein

• Turmeric as an indicator

• Olfactory indicators

• Important indicator-based questions

Module 3: Chemical Properties of Acids and Bases

• Reaction of acids with metals

• Reaction of acids with metal carbonates

• Reaction of acids with metal hydrogen carbonates

• Reaction of acids with bases

• Neutralisation reactions

• Reaction of metallic oxides with acids

• Reaction of non-metallic oxides with bases

• Evolution of hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide

• Important balanced chemical equations

Module 4: What Do All Acids and Bases Have in Common?

• Acids in aqueous solutions

• Formation of hydrogen ions and hydronium ions

• Why acids require water to exhibit acidic behaviour

• Electrical conductivity of acidic and basic solutions

• Formation of hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions

• Dilution of acids and bases

• Safety precautions while diluting concentrated acids

Module 5: Understanding the pH Scale

• Meaning of pH

• Introduction to the pH scale

• Acidic, neutral, and basic solutions

• Relationship between pH and the nature of a solution

• Importance of pH in everyday life

• pH of soil and its effect on plant growth

• pH in digestion and the role of antacids

• Tooth decay and the importance of pH

• Self-defence mechanisms of plants and animals against acidic substances

• Important conceptual and application-based questions

Module 6: Salts and Their Preparation

• What are salts?

• Formation of salts through neutralisation

• Common salt and its importance

• Family of salts

• pH of salts and their aqueous solutions

• Important reactions involving salts

Module 7: Important Chemicals from Common Salt

1. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

• Preparation of sodium hydroxide

• Chlor-alkali process

• Products formed during electrolysis of brine

• Uses of sodium hydroxide, chlorine, and hydrogen

2. Bleaching Powder (CaOCl₂)

• Preparation of bleaching powder

• Chemical equation for its