Salts

Common salt is one of the common salts that is used mainly in our daily life. The chemical name of common salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). Another such salt is Soda, which is chemically named sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃).

When any acid and alkali are added, we get salt and water as products.

Acid + Alkali → Salt + Water

This reaction is called a neutralization reaction. Determination of alkali with acid or repeating acid with alkali is called neutralization. For example,

hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → sodium chloride + water

nitric acid +  sodium hydroxide → sodium nitrate + water

nitric acid  + potassium hydroxide → potassium nitrate + water

The salt is named after its acid and alkali, which are formed by mixing it. Acids and bases destroy each other's effect when salts are formed.

Effect of Salts on Litmus

Sodium chloride has no effect on red or blue litmus. Its nature is neither acidic nor alkaline so ordinary salt is neutral.

Salts can be neutral, alkaline or acidic.

Uses of Salts

1. Sodium Chloride (NaCl): It is also called normal salt, which is used in foods.
2. Sodium carbonate: It is also known as washing soda.
3. Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃): It is also called baking soda.
4. Copper sulphate (Cu₄SO₄): It is also colloquially called blue stone or vitriol of copper.