Question:

Compounds such as alcohols and glucose also contain hydrogen but are not categorized as acids. Describe an Activity to prove it.

Updated On: Jul 27, 2024
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Solution and Explanation

Two nails are fitted on a cork and are kept in a 100 mL beaker. The nails are then connected to the two terminals of a 6-volt battery through a bulb and a switch. Some dilute HCl is poured into the beaker and the current is switched on. The same experiment is then performed with glucose solution and alcohol solution.
Observations: It will be observed that the bulb glows in the HCl solution and does not glow in the glucose solution. 
Result: HCl dissociates into H+ and Cl ions. These ions conduct electricity in the solution resulting in the glowing of the bulb. On the other hand, the glucose solution does not dissociate into ions. Therefore, it does not conduct electricity. 
Two nails are fitted on a cork and are kept in a 100 mL beaker
Conclusion: From this activity, it can be concluded that all acids contain hydrogen but not all compounds containing hydrogen are acids. 
That is why, though alcohols and glucose contain hydrogen, they are not categorized as acids.
 

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Concepts Used:

Acids and Bases

Acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is capable of donating a proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance. Base is an ion or molecule capable of accepting a hydrogen ion from acid. 

Physical Properties of Acids and Bases

Physical PropertiesACIDSBASES
TasteSourBitter
Colour on Litmus paper Turns blue litmus redTurns red litmus blue
Ions produced on dissociationH+OH-
pH<7 (less than 7)>7 (more than 7)
Strong acidsHCl, HNO3, H2SO4NaOH, KOH
Weak AcidsCH3COOH, H3PO4, H2CO3NH4OH

Chemical Properties of Acids and Bases

Type of ReactionAcidBases
Reaction with Metals

Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas (H2)

E.g.,

Zn(s)+ dil. H2SO4 → ZnSO(Zinc Sulphate) + H2

Base + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen gas (H2)

E.g.,

2NaOH +Zn → Na2ZnO2 (Sodium zincate) + H2

Reaction with hydrogen carbonates (bicarbonate) and carbonates

Metal carbonate/Metal hydrogen carbonate + Acid → Salt + Carbon dioxide + Water

E.g., HCl+NaOH → NaCl+ H2O

2. Na2CO3+ 2 HCl(aq) →2NaCl(aq)+ H2O(l) + CO2(g)

3. Na2CO3+ 2H2SO4(aq) →2Na2SO4(aq)+ H2O(l) + CO2(g)

4. NaHCO3+ HCl → NaCl+ H2O+ CO2

Base+ Carbonate/ bicarbonate → No reaction
Neutralisation Reaction

Base + Acid → Salt + Water

E.g., NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) → NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

Base + Acid → Salt + Water

E.g., CaO+ HCl (l) → CaCl2 (aq)+ H2O (l)

Reaction with Oxides

Metal oxide + Acid → Salt + Water

E.g., CaO+ HCl (l) → CaCl2 (aq)+ H2O (l)

Non- Metallic oxide + Base → Salt + Water

E.g., Ca(OH)2+ CO2 → CaCO3+ H2O

Dissolution in Water

Acid gives H+ ions in water.

E.g., HCl → H+ + Cl-

HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl–

Base gives OH- ions in water.

Read more on Acids, Bases and Salts