Class 10 Science: How Strong are Acid or Base Solutions? — Practice Questions with Answers
Exam-style CBSE practice questions on How Strong are Acid or Base Solutions? (Acids, Bases and Salts). Try each one first, then reveal the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation. Free, from EduLevel — the AI teacher for CBSE.
Q1easy1 mark
If a solution changes the color of red litmus to blue, what is its likely pH value?
1
4
5
10
Need a hint?
Think about the properties of acids and bases. Which type of substance turns red litmus paper blue?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: 10
Explanation: A solution that turns red litmus blue is basic. Basic solutions have a pH greater than 7. Among the given options, only 10 is greater than 7.
Q2easy1 mark
Which of the following categories of medicine is employed to alleviate indigestion?
Antibiotic
Analgesic
Antacid
Antiseptic
Need a hint?
Think about the common discomfort caused by indigestion and what type of medicine specifically targets stomach acidity.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Antacid
Explanation: Indigestion is caused by excess stomach acid. Antacids are basic substances that neutralize this excess acid, providing relief.
Q3easy1 mark
It is observed that 10 mL of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution is completely neutralized by 8 mL of a specific hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. If we use 20 mL of the same NaOH solution, what volume of the same HCl solution will be needed for complete neutralization?
4 mL
8 mL
12 mL
16 mL
Need a hint?
This problem involves a chemical reaction where a base (NaOH) reacts with an acid (HCl) in a process called neutralization. Think about how the amounts of reactants are related in such reactions.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: 16 mL
Explanation: The ratio of volumes for neutralization is constant. Since the volume of NaOH is doubled (from 10 mL to 20 mL), the volume of HCl required will also double (from 8 mL to 16 mL).
Q4easy1 markCBSE 2025
What is the specific pH range within which the human body's metabolic processes function correctly?
6.1 to 6.8
6.5 to 7.3
7.0 to 7.8
7.5 to 8.1
Need a hint?
Think about whether the human body tends to be slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline for optimal function. Most biological systems operate very close to a neutral pH.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: 7.0 to 7.8
Explanation: The human body maintains a narrow pH range of 7.0 to 7.8 for its biological and metabolic activities to function optimally.
Q5easy1 markCBSE 2025
Tooth enamel, which is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite (a form of calcium phosphate), begins to corrode when the pH in the mouth drops to which of the following values?
7
5
10
14
Need a hint?
Consider the concept of acidity and how it affects different substances. What is the typical pH range for neutral, acidic, and alkaline solutions?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: 5
Explanation: Tooth decay initiates when the pH level in the mouth falls below 5.5, as the acidic environment starts to demineralize the tooth enamel.
Q6medium1 markCBSE 2024
Given three aqueous solutions: A (Potassium nitrate), B (Ammonium chloride), and C (Sodium carbonate), select the option that shows the correct increasing order of their pH values.
A < B < C
B < C < A
C < A < B
B < A < C
Need a hint?
Consider the nature of the salts formed from strong/weak acids and strong/weak bases. How does this relate to pH?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: B < A < C
Explanation: Ammonium chloride (B) is a salt of a weak base and strong acid, so it's acidic (pH < 7). Potassium nitrate (A) is a salt of a strong acid and strong base, so it's neutral (pH ≈ 7). Sodium carbonate (C) is a salt of a strong base and weak acid, so it's basic (pH > 7). Therefore, the increasing order of pH is B < A < C.
Q7easy1 markCBSE 2024
Tamarind juice turns blue litmus paper red. This indicates the presence of which acid?
Methanoic acid
Acetic acid
Tartaric acid
Oxalic acid
Need a hint?
Acids have the property of turning blue litmus paper red. This question is about identifying the specific acid found in tamarind that exhibits this acidic property.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Tartaric acid
Explanation: Tamarind is a natural source of tartaric acid, which is responsible for its acidic properties and its effect on litmus paper.
Q8medium1 markCBSE 2023
Fresh milk has a pH of 6. To prevent it from curdling quickly, a specific chemical substance is added. Identify this substance.
Sodium carbonate
Baking powder
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
Sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda)
Need a hint?
Think about the chemical property of milk that leads to curdling and what kind of substance would counteract that.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda)
Explanation: Milk curdles due to the formation of lactic acid, which lowers its pH. Adding a mild base like sodium hydrogen carbonate neutralizes the acid, thus delaying the curdling process.
Q9easy1 markCBSE 2022
When a few drops of universal indicator are added to a solution, it turns a yellowish-orange color. What is this solution likely to be?
Lemon juice
Sodium chloride solution
Sodium hydroxide solution
Milk of magnesia
Need a hint?
The color of the universal indicator tells us about the pH of the solution. What does a yellowish-orange color generally indicate about the acidity or alkalinity of a substance?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Lemon juice
Explanation: A yellowish-orange color with a universal indicator corresponds to a weakly acidic solution (pH around 3-5). Among the choices, lemon juice is acidic.
Q10medium1 markCBSE 2022
Anita tested diluted acetic acid and diluted hydrochloric acid with pH paper and compared the resulting colors. Which of the following conclusions is correct?
The pH of acetic acid is higher than that of hydrochloric acid.
The pH of acetic acid is lower than that of hydrochloric acid.
Acetic acid dissociates completely in an aqueous solution.
Acetic acid is a strong acid.
Need a hint?
Consider the relative strengths of acids. How does the degree of dissociation affect the concentration of H+ ions in a solution?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: The pH of acetic acid is higher than that of hydrochloric acid.
Explanation: Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that dissociates completely, resulting in a lower pH. Acetic acid is a weak acid that dissociates partially, leading to a comparatively higher pH for the same concentration.
Q11medium1 markCBSE 2020
An aqueous solution 'A' changes the color of phenolphthalein solution to pink. When another aqueous solution 'B' is added to 'A', the pink color vanishes. Which of the following statements correctly describes solutions 'A' and 'B'?
A is strongly basic and B is a weak base.
A is strongly acidic and B is a weak acid.
A has a pH greater than 7 and B has a pH less than 7.
A has a pH less than 7 and B has a pH greater than 7.
Need a hint?
Think about what causes phenolphthalein to turn pink. This color change is an indicator of a specific type of chemical environment.
Show answer & explanation
Answer: A has a pH greater than 7 and B has a pH less than 7.
Explanation: Solution 'A' turns phenolphthalein pink, indicating it is a base (pH > 7). Solution 'B' neutralizes it, causing the color to disappear, which means 'B' must be an acid (pH < 7).
Stuck on a doubt in How Strong are Acid or Base Solutions?? Vidya ma'am — EduLevel's AI teacher — explains it to you live, by voice, till it clicks.