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10 Dec 2025
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Understanding Acids and Bases for BTEC Chemistry
Polar
@polar
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Essential Acids, Bases and Ions
Getting comfortable with chemical formulas is your first step to mastering acid-base chemistry. You'll need to recognise common ions like H+ (hydrogen ion), OH- (hydroxide), Cl- (chloride), and CO32- (carbonate) instantly.
The most important acids to memorise are HCl (hydrochloric acid), H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid), and H3PO4 (phosphoric acid). These pop up constantly in exam questions, so knowing them by heart will save you valuable time.
Strong acids like nitric acid completely break apart (dissociate) in water. When HNO3 dissolves, it splits entirely into H+ and NO3- ions - there's no going back. This complete dissociation is what makes these acids so reactive and powerful.
Key Tip: Start learning these formulas now - they're the building blocks for everything else in acid-base chemistry!
Weak Acids and Salt Formation
Weak acids are the opposite of strong acids - they're quite lazy when it comes to releasing hydrogen ions. Take ethanoic acid (found in vinegar) - only about 1 molecule in every 100 bothers to release its H+ ion in water. This partial dissociation makes them much gentler than strong acids.
Salt formation is where chemistry gets interesting. A salt forms when the H+ ions from an acid get replaced by metal or ammonium ions. Think of it as a chemical swap shop - the acid loses its hydrogen, and a metal moves in instead.
You'll encounter five main types of acid reactions: Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen, Acid + Metal Oxide → Salt + Water, Acid + Metal Hydroxide → Salt + Water, Acid + Metal Carbonate → Salt + CO2 + Water, and Acid + Ammonia → Ammonium Salt. Each follows a predictable pattern.
Remember: The type of acid determines the salt name - hydrochloric acid makes chlorides, sulfuric acid makes sulfates!
Writing Ionic Equations
Ionic equations might seem tricky at first, but they're actually just about showing what's really happening in a reaction. You'll strip away the unnecessary bits to focus on the actual chemical change.
Here's your step-by-step method: write down all the ions in aqueous solutions, then cross out any spectator ions (the ones that appear on both sides unchanged). What's left shows you the real reaction taking place.
Take the example: HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCl(aq) + H2O(l). When you break this down into ions and remove the spectators , you're left with the simple truth: H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l). That's the essence of any acid-base neutralisation.
Pro Tip: Spectator ions are like bystanders at a football match - they're there, but they don't actually play the game!
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Acids and Bases for BTEC Chemistry
Polar
@polar
Understanding acids and bases is crucial for your chemistry studies - they're everywhere from the hydrochloric acid in your stomach to the calcium hydroxide in cement. This topic covers the key formulas, reactions, and equations you'll need to master for... Show more
Essential Acids, Bases and Ions
Getting comfortable with chemical formulas is your first step to mastering acid-base chemistry. You'll need to recognise common ions like H+ (hydrogen ion), OH- (hydroxide), Cl- (chloride), and CO32- (carbonate) instantly.
The most important acids to memorise are HCl (hydrochloric acid), H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid), and H3PO4 (phosphoric acid). These pop up constantly in exam questions, so knowing them by heart will save you valuable time.
Strong acids like nitric acid completely break apart (dissociate) in water. When HNO3 dissolves, it splits entirely into H+ and NO3- ions - there's no going back. This complete dissociation is what makes these acids so reactive and powerful.
Key Tip: Start learning these formulas now - they're the building blocks for everything else in acid-base chemistry!
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Weak Acids and Salt Formation
Weak acids are the opposite of strong acids - they're quite lazy when it comes to releasing hydrogen ions. Take ethanoic acid (found in vinegar) - only about 1 molecule in every 100 bothers to release its H+ ion in water. This partial dissociation makes them much gentler than strong acids.
Salt formation is where chemistry gets interesting. A salt forms when the H+ ions from an acid get replaced by metal or ammonium ions. Think of it as a chemical swap shop - the acid loses its hydrogen, and a metal moves in instead.
You'll encounter five main types of acid reactions: Acid + Metal → Salt + Hydrogen, Acid + Metal Oxide → Salt + Water, Acid + Metal Hydroxide → Salt + Water, Acid + Metal Carbonate → Salt + CO2 + Water, and Acid + Ammonia → Ammonium Salt. Each follows a predictable pattern.
Remember: The type of acid determines the salt name - hydrochloric acid makes chlorides, sulfuric acid makes sulfates!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
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Writing Ionic Equations
Ionic equations might seem tricky at first, but they're actually just about showing what's really happening in a reaction. You'll strip away the unnecessary bits to focus on the actual chemical change.
Here's your step-by-step method: write down all the ions in aqueous solutions, then cross out any spectator ions (the ones that appear on both sides unchanged). What's left shows you the real reaction taking place.
Take the example: HCl(aq) + KOH(aq) → KCl(aq) + H2O(l). When you break this down into ions and remove the spectators , you're left with the simple truth: H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l). That's the essence of any acid-base neutralisation.
Pro Tip: Spectator ions are like bystanders at a football match - they're there, but they don't actually play the game!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user