SALTS

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 LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Should be familiar with and able to carry out neutralization reactions

to prepare salts

• Know and appreciate the common uses of salts in everyday life

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 INTRODUCTION
• In daily occasions, we always add common salt to our food to give it
taste. Imagine salt being absent, could the food be tasty?

• What do you think is the name of common table salt?

• Are salts important? Give reasons

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 RESPONSES.
• Common table salt is sodium chloride.

Salts are important because:

• They are used to add taste to food,

• Used in preservation of food,

• Used in manufacture of fertilizers,

• A component of soaps and detergents and some are used in softening of

water 4
 IMPORTANCE OF SALTS
• They provide ions to the body important in proper body functioning of nerves
and muscle contractions.
• Flavor Enhancement: Salts are fundamental in cooking and food preparation,
enhancing flavors and adding palatability to various dishes
• Salts such as Magnesium sulphate, are used as dietary supplements to
provide essential minerals.
• Salts are used as raw materials in the production of various chemicals. For
instance, sodium chloride is used in the production of chlorine and sodium
hydroxide through electrolysis.
• Salts, particularly sodium chloride, are widely used in food preservation
methods like curing and pickling, which inhibit bacterial growth and extend
shelf life.
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 CONT.…………
• Salts are used in the manufacturing of glass and
ceramics. For example, sodium carbonate is used in
glassmaking.
• Salts like sodium chloride and potassium chloride
are used in water softening processes to remove
calcium and magnesium ions from hard water.
• Salts, particularly sodium chloride and calcium
chloride, are used to melt ice on roads and
sidewalks during winter, improving safety and
accessibility.
• Salts such as potassium chloride and ammonium
nitrate are key components of fertilizers, providing
essential nutrients like potassium and nitrogen to
plants 6
 CONT.…….
• Detergents and Soaps: Sodium chloride is used in the
production of detergents and soaps as a filler and
thickener.

• Disinfectants: Salts like sodium hypochlorite (bleach) are

used as disinfectants to kill bacteria, viruses, and other
pathogens.

• Toothpaste: Sodium fluoride, a salt, is added to

toothpaste to prevent cavities.
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 PREPARATION OF SALTS
• What is a salt? How is a salt formed?
• A salt is the substance formed when either all or part of ionisable hydrogen ions
of an acid is replaced by a metallic ion or ammonium ion. A salt is formed
when an acid reacts with base.
• Salts exist naturally in the earths crust however these have a lot of impurities and
costly to purify using chemical means.
• Therefore, most salts are in industries using the various methods as discussed
below.

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 NEUTRALIZATION
❑ Neutralization is the reaction between acid and
base to form salt and water only.

❑ It is used in preparation of soluble salts.

❑ From ionic equation, it is known that the

reaction only involves H+ ions from acids with
OH ions from alkali to form water.

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 REACTION OF ACID AND BASE
• Aim : to prepare sodium chloride by neutralization
Materials
• 2 conical flasks
• Burette
• 2 beakers
• Evapourating dish
• Measuring cylinder
• Phenolphthalein indicator
• Dilute hydrochloric acid
• Sodium hydroxide solution
• Heat source, wire gauze and tripod stand
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 METHOD
Pipette 25cm3 of sodium hydroxide into a conical flask and add 2-3 drops of
phenolphthalein indicator.
Fill the burette with hydrochloric acid solution .
Run the acid from burette into sodium hydroxide in a conical flask. Shake
constantly until the solution turns colorless.
Transfer the resultant solution into evaporating dish and evaporate until it begins
to crystallize
Pour the concentrated solution in a beaker and allow to cool and crystallize.
Wash the crystals with little distilled water and dry between filter paper.
Equation
• NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O
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NOTE
• The above method is used in preparation of common salt ( sodium chloride) and
other salts of sodium, potassium and ammonia. How ever, sodium chloride
occurs naturally in lake Katwe in Kasese district. The salt has other useful salts
which are removed during the refining process.

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 ACTION OF ACID ON A CARBONATE.
Aim : Preparation of Lead (II) nitrate crystals from lead carbonate.
Materials
➢ 2 beakers
➢ Filter papers
➢ Spatula
➢ Conical flask
➢ Evaporating dish
➢ Heat source and tripod stand 14
 METHODOLOGY
• Measure 50cc of dilute nitric acid and pour in a glass beaker
• Using a spatula, add lead (II) carbonate little at a time while stirring,
effervescence occurs.
• Continue to add until no more will react ( no bubbling) showing that all the acid
has been neutralized.
• Filter off excess lead carbonate and collect a colorless filtrate of lead (ii) nitrate.
• Evaporate the filtrate to drive off water until crystallization point. ( when crystals
begin forming)
• Cool the solution and leave crystals to form.
• Wash the crystals with little cold distilled water and dry between filter papers.

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 NOTE
• When a carbonate reacts with an acid, a salt, carbon dioxide and water are
formed.
• This method is used in preparation of soluble salts ( salts that dissolve in water)

Equation
Lead(ii)carbonate + Nitric acid Lead(ii) nitrate + Carbon dioxide + water

PbCO3 + HNO3 Pb(NO3)2 + CO2 + H2O.

• How can the gas given off be tested in the lab?

• Of what use is the above mentioned gas?
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 ACTION OF ACID ON A METAL
Aim : to prepare of Zinc sulphate crystals from zinc metal.

Materials
➢ Sulphric acid
➢ Zinc granules
➢ Evaporating dish
➢ Heat source
➢ Glass rod
➢ Glass beakers
➢ Tripodstand
 METHOD
• Pour dilute sulphuric acid in a beaker

• Add Zinc granules until in excess and add copper (II) sulphate solution to speed
up the reaction. Effervescence occurs.

• When the reaction stops, filter the excess Zinc.

• Evaporate the filtrate by heating in evaporating dish until crystallization occurs.

• Wash the crystals 2-3 times with little cold distilled water and dry them by
pressing gently between two filter papers.

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 NOTE
• This method is appropriate to prepare salts of metals which are moderately
reactive with acids for example magnesium, zinc and iron.
Assignment.
Describe how salts can be prepared by action of an acid on an oxide

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 PREPARATION OF INSOLUBLE SALTS.
• Insoluble salts are prepared by a method called double decomposition or
precipitation since it involves exchange of ions to form an insoluble salt and
soluble salt.
• Double decomposition means that the two compounds used in the reaction as
reactants both decompose to form new compounds.
• Precipitation is the act of throwing down a solid (precipitate) when two aqueous
solutions are mixed.
• The formed soluble salt remains in solution and insoluble salt settles at the
bottom of the beaker The formed soluble salt remains in solution and insoluble
salt settles at the bottom of the beaker

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 PREPARATION OF LEAD (II) SULPHATE
Materials

• Dilute sulphuric acid

• Beakers

• Lead(II) nitrate solution

• Filter papers and funnel

• Measuring cylinder

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 METHODOLOGY
• Using a measuring cylinder, measure 50cc of acid and lead(II) nitrate

• Add dilute sulphuric acid to Lead (II) nitrate solution into glass beaker while
stirring or shaking all the time.

• A solid is formed in the solution after mixing the 2 solutions

• Filter off the precipitate and pour off the liquid.

• Wash the precipitate 2-3 times with hot distilled water to remove any acid.

• Dry the precipitate in a steam oven or by leaving it in the air.

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DIRECT COMBINATION OF ELEMENTS (DIRECT
SYNTHESIS)
Aim : Preparation of Iron (II) Sulphide
Method
• Put three spatula endful of powder sulphur to iron filings in a test tube.
• Add three spatula endful of powered sulphur to iron filings in a test tube.
• Heat the mixture strongly in Bunsen flame until no further change.
• A red glow spreads through the whole mixture.

• Fe(s) + S(s) FeS(s)

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 SUGGESTED RESPONSES
• Nutrient Balance: Salts, like sodium chloride, are essential for maintaining proper electrolyte balance in the
body, crucial for nerve function and muscle contraction.
• Food Preservation: Salts have been used for centuries as a preservative, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and
other microorganisms in food.
• Chemical Reactions: Salts are key components in many chemical reactions, serving as catalysts or reactants in
processes ranging from metallurgy to pharmaceuticals.
• Water Treatment: Salts are used in water treatment processes to remove impurities and make water safe for
consumption.
• Industrial Processes: Salts play critical roles in various industrial processes, including manufacturing,
metallurgy, and chemical production.
• Agriculture: Salts are used in agriculture as fertilizers to provide essential nutrients to plants and improve soil
fertility.
• Healthcare: Salts are used in medical treatments, such as saline solutions for intravenous fluids and wound
cleansing.
• De-icing: Salts, particularly sodium chloride and calcium chloride, are used for de-icing roads and sidewalks
during winter to improve safety.
• Food Flavoring: Salts are not only used to preserve food but also to enhance flavor in cooking, baking, and
seasoning.
• Beauty and Cosmetics: Salts, such as Epsom salt and sea salt, are commonly used in beauty and cosmetic
products for their exfoliating and skin-soothing properties.
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 ACTIVITY
• Research and discuss any 10 importance's of
common salts( both on domestic and industrial
scale)

• Salts are used in making fireworks and potassium

nitrate is one of the most important components
which propels the fireworks, name other salts used
to make fireworks other than potassium nitrate

• Research and explain the chemistry behind

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[Link]
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 CHEMICAL FORMULA OF SALTS
• Chemical formulae of elements are derived from the symbols of the elements
and radicals contained in the chemical names of compounds.
• A radical refers to a charged atom or group of atoms that can not exist
on their own. The charge on the radical corresponds to the valency of the
element.
• Examples

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 STEPS OF WRITING CHEMICAL FORMULAE
❑ To write the chemical formulae of a compound, first identify the elements
present in the compound

❑ Write the symbols of the elements or radicals present in the compound or

radical.

❑ Indicate the valencies in the top right corners on the symbols of the elements
or radicle.

❑ Interchange the valencies between the elements and the radicles

❑ Place the valencies at the bottom right corners of those symbols.

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 COMPLETE THE TABLE BELOW.
Salt Elements found in the salt Formula
Sodium chloride Sodium and chlorine
Sodium hydrogen carbonate

Calcium carbonate
Potassium nitrate
lead(II)chloride
Potassium carbonate
Barium sulphate
Sodium phosphate
Ammonium chloride
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SOLUBILITY OF SALTS
• Solubility: is the number of grams of solute dissolved in 100g of water to
give a saturated solution at a particular temperature
OR
• Solubility is the number of moles of a solute necessary to saturate one
kilogram of a solvent at a given temperature.

• Saturated solution: Is one which cannot dissolve any more solute at a given
temperature and pressure
Note:
Solubility increases with temperature for most of the salts
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 CONT.………
Solubility can be expressed as Mass of solute (g) per 100g of a solvent i.e. grams
per 100g of solvent (g/100g of solvent)

• Some salts are highly soluble in water e.g. potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate,
sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium carbonate, potassium
carbonate.

• Others are sparingly soluble in water at room temperature e.g. lead chloride,
silver chloride, barium sulphate, lead sulphate, calcium carbonate etc.

The solubility of these sparingly soluble salts increases as temperature

increases
 DETERMINATION OF SOLUBILITY OF SALTS
Aim : Determination of solubility of a substance
Materials
❖ Sugar
❖ Table salt
❖ Stirring rod
❖ Beakers
❖ Heat source
❖ Tripod stand
❖ Wire gauze
❖ Weighing scale
❖ Measuring cylinder
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 PROCEDURE
• Using a measuring cylinder, measure 100cc of water which is at room
temperature and pour it into a beaker.
• Weigh 50g of common salt and add it to the beaker above
• Stir it up
• Repeat procedures 1-2 using 50g of sugar.
• Compare the solubilities of common salt and sugar at room temperature
• Repeat producers 1,2 and 3 using hot water at 60c
• Compare the solubilities of the two substances in cold and hot water.
• From your observations, deduce the factors that affect the solubility of a
substance.

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 NOTE
• From your observations, you have found out that solubility depends on the
nature of the substance. Sugar dissolves in water more readily than common
salt.
• It is also noted that when the temperature of the substance was increased,
solubility of the sugar increased.
• More salt or more sugar dissolves if the amount of water increases.

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FINDING THE SOLUBILITY OF POTASSIUM NITRATE IN
WATER AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Materials
❖ Water
❖ Thermometer
❖ Boiling tube
❖ Powdered potassium nitrate
❖ Stirring rod
❖ Heat source
❖ Evaporating dish
❖ Watch glass
❖ Measuring cylinder
❖ Weighing scale
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 PROCEDURE.
• Using a measuring cylinder, measure 10cc of water , pour it into a boiling tube
and warm at 30c
• Add powdered potassium nitrate into a beaker, little at a time, while stirring
with a glass rod until no more can dissolve
• Using a weighing scale , measure the weight of an empty, clean and dry
evaporating dish or watch glass with the solution. Record it as Xg
• Decant the solution carefully into the evaporating dish or watch glass.
• Weigh the evaporating dish or watch glass with the solution. Record it as Yg.
• Evaporate the solution to dryness over a medium flame. Don’t heat strongly
because it will decompose.
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• Allow the evaporating dish or watch glass to class and then weigh it with the
solid, potassium nitrate.
• Record the weight as E.g.
• Repeat procedures 1-7 using sodium chloride, copper(II)sulphate, sodium
nitrate, barium nitrate , potassium carbonate, etc

• Calculate the amount of potassium nitrate which will saturate 100cc of water
• What is the effect of changing the temperature of water on solubility of the
salt?
• Why was a glass beaker used instead of a plastic beaker?

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ALWAYS AIM FOR EXCELLENCE
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