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I. Common Acids 1.Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)

2. Nitric Acid (HNO3)

Their Uses and Importance The major use of sulfuric acid is in the production of fertilizers, such as superphosphate of lime and ammonium sulfate. It is widely used in the manufacture of chemicals, such as in making hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfate salts, synthetic detergents, dyes and pigments, explosives, and drugs. It is used in petroleum refining to wash impurities out of gasoline and other refinery products. Sulfuric acid is used in processing metals, such as in pickling (cleaning) iron and steel before plating them with tin or zinc. Rayon is made with sulfuric acid. It serves as the electrolyte in the leadacid storage battery commonly used in motor vehicles The important uses of nitric acid are as follows: 1) Nitric acid plays a significant role in the manufacture of various products such as:

Explosives like trinitrotoluene (T.N.T.) nitro glycerine, gun cotton, ammonal etc. Fertilizers such as calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate etc. Nitrate salts such as calcium nitrate, silver nitrate, ammonium nitrate. Dyes, perfumes, drugs etc. from coal tar products. Sulphuric acid by Lead Chamber process.

2) It is used in the purification of silver, gold, platinum etc. 3) Nitric acid is used in etching designs on copper, brass, bronze ware etc. 4) It is used to prepare "aqua regia" to dissolve the noble elements. 5) It is used as a laboratory reagent. 1) One of the main uses for HCl is in a process known as steel pickling. In pickling, steel is passed through a bath of

3. Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

HCl which reacts with and removes rust and scale on the metal surface. This cleans the steel and produces a fresh surface, ready for further operations such as drawing into wire. 2) HCl is also used to prepare metals for galvanizing and soldering, as well as to etch aluminum. 3) HCl is used in the production of various foods, especially in the processing of high fructose corn syrup. In this process, HCl is used in a peripheral manner, to regenerate ion exchange resins used in the purification of the syrup 4) Other uses for HCl in food production include adjusting the pH of various sauces and juices and in the manufacture of gelatin. 5) HCl can be used to increase the output of oil wells in a technique known as stimulation. In stimulation, HCl is injected into rock formations to dissolve certain minerals such as limestone and create more efficient pathways for oil to flow to the surface. 6) HCl is used in a wide variety of mining operations, including the treatment of ore to recover metals such as molybdenum and gold

4. Acetic Acid

1. Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound best recognized for giving vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. 2. This acid is an important chemical reagent and industrial chemical useful for the production of various synthetic fibers and other polymeric materials. These polymers include polyethylene terephthalate, used mainly in soft drink bottles; cellulose acetate, used mainly for photographic film; and polyvinyl acetate, for wood glue. 3. In households, diluted acetic acid is often used in descaling agents. In medicine, lactate is one of the main components of lactated Ringer's solution

5. Lactic Acid

II. COMMON BASES 1. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

2. Magnesium Hydroxide [Mg(OH)2]

and Hartmann's solution. These intravenous fluids consist of sodium and potassium cations along with lactate and chloride anions in solution with distilled water, generally in concentrations isotonic with human blood. It is most commonly used for fluid resuscitation after blood loss due to trauma, surgery, or burn injury. THEIR USES AND IMPORTANCE Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye or caustic soda, is a caustic metallic base. Its chemical formula is NaOH. Forming a strongly alkaline solution when dissolved in a solvent such as water, caustic soda is widely used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps, and detergents. Magnesium Hydroxide is used for: 1. Treating acid indigestion, heartburn, sour stomach, and constipation 2. Magnesium Hydroxide is an antacid. It works by neutralizing the acid in the stomach and by stimulating the bowels to move. Lithium is a light and highly reactive metal. It is found in many stars. This post will list some of the common uses of lithium. Uses of Lithium

3 Llithium hydroxide . (LiOH)

Lithium can be used as a coolant due to its high specific heat capacity. Compounds of lithium give fireworks and flares a red color. LiOH (lithium hydroxide) is used to make lithium soaps. These soaps are used to manufacture lubricating greases. Lithium can be used in disposable and rechargeable batteries. Some rechargeable batteries include the lithium-ion battery and the lithium iron phosphate battery. Lithium niobate is used to make cell phone. Lithium is used to absorb neutrons in nuclear fusion. Lithium can be combined with other metals (usually aluminum, cadmium, copper or manganese) to make airplane parts. Lithium hydroxide and lithium peroxide are used to purify air in

submarines and on spacecraft. Lithium peroxide is fantastic as it reacts with carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. One of the most important uses of lithium is in the treatment of bipolar disorder and depression. Salts of lithium (such as lithium carbonate and lithium citrate) are mood stabilizers. Lithium can be used in focal lenses for telescopes and common spectacles. Lithium chloride and lithium bromide are effective desiccant. A desiccant is a substances that keeps something (usually a container) dry by absorbing (or adsorbing) water molecules. Lithium, and its hydrides, are used as high energy additives in rocket propellants.

III. COMMON SALTS 1. Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

THEIR USES AND IMPORTANCE Sodium chloride, universally known as common salt, is a household thing and known to all. Salt is also formed naturally and in large scales. It is universally used as a food additive and it is used daily by people all over the world. Apart from its use in cooking, it finds its application in manufacturing paper and pulp, producing detergents and bath products. Common Uses of Sodium Chloride The following are the household and general sodium chloride uses.

Preservative: Since ancient times, salt has been used as a preservative. Although today various preservatives are available, salt is still widely used. It is an important preservative used in preservation of cheese, dairy products, meat, pickles and sauces. Melting Ice: Sodium chloride has a property of lowering the melting point of ice. Therefore, it is spread on roads for quick melting of the ice. Cleansing Agent: Sodium chloride has also been used as a cleansing agent since long time. In ancient

times, it was used for household cleaning simply by rubbing it against surfaces. It is also an ingredient of soaps, detergents and shampoos. Chlorine: Sodium chloride is widely used for the preparation of chlorine. Chlorine has several applications, but is mostly used in making PVC and pesticides.

2. Calcium Nitrate [Ca(NO3)2]

Chemicals: Sodium chloride is also used for the production of sodium metal. It is widely used for the production of other compounds like calcium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate and hydrochloric acid. Calcium nitrate, also called Norgessalpeter (Norwegian saltpeter) is the inorganic compound with the formula Ca(NO3)2. This colourless salt absorbs moisture from the air and is commonly found as a tetrahydrate. It is mainly used as a component in fertilizers. The chemical compound potassium chloride (KCl) is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. In its pure state, it is odorless and has a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance, with a crystal structure that cleaves easily in three directions. Potassium chloride crystals are face-centered cubic. Potassium chloride is occasionally known as "muriate of potash," particularly when used as a fertilizer. Potash varies in color from pink or red to white depending on the mining and recovery process used. White potash, sometimes referred to as soluble potash, is usually higher in analysis and is used primarily for making liquid starter fertilizers. KCl is used in medicine, scientific applications, and food processing.

3. Potassium Chloride (KCl)