Recognizing Formulas

Recognizing Formulas of Acids and Bases

With your knowledge of the interactions between H, O and other elements you should be able to tell from the formula of some compounds whether they are acids or bases. Those compounds are the ones that contain H, O and one other element. If that other element is a metal, the compound probably will be basic. If that other element is a nonmetal, the compound probably will be acidic. But keep in mind that not all acids and bases contain oxygen.

M = metal X= nonmetal
MOH	XOH or HXO
base	acid

Also, note that ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) is an important exception to this generality. If you remember that ammonium hydroxide is an ionic compound (two polyatomic ions) containing hydroxide ion it shouldn't be too hard to remember that it is basic.

Practice (Ex. 22)

For practice, identify the chemicals listed below and in exercise 22 as being acidic or basic. You can find the answers below.

	KOH
	HNO₃
	NH₄OH
	Hydrated magnesium oxide (commonly known as Milk of Magnesia)
	Hydrated carbon dioxide (found in carbonated beverages)

Answers to Exercise 22

	KOH is a base.
	HNO₃ is an acid.
	NH₄OH is a base.
	Hydrated magnesium oxide (commonly known as Milk of Magnesia) is a base.
	Hydrated carbon dioxide (found in carbonated beverages) is an acid.

If you missed any of those, please check with your instructor to get squared away.

Top of Page

Back to Course Homepage

E-mail instructor: Eden Francis

Clackamas Community College
Š1998, 2002 Clackamas Community College, Hal Bender