Acids can be classified on the basis of source, the presence of oxygen, concentration and basicity.
Classification based on the source
This means that the acid is classified on the basis of their source or origin. They are mainly of two types: Organic acid and Mineral acid.
Organic Acid: This is the acid obtained from organic materials such as plants and animals. For e.g. Citric acid (Citrus fruits), Acetic acid (Vinegar), Oleic acid (Olive oil), etc.
Mineral Acid: Mineral acid is procured from minerals. They are also known as inorganic acids. They do not contain carbon. For e.g. H2SO4, HCl. HNO3, etc.
Classification based on the presence of Oxygen
This means that the acids are classified on the basis of the presence of oxygen. These are of two types: Oxy-acid and Hydracids.
Oxy-acid: Acids that consist oxygen in their composition is known as Oxy-acids. For e.g. H2SO4, HNO3 etc.
Hydracid: Those that consist hydrogen combined with other elements and do not contain any oxygen in their composition and do not contain any oxygen in their composition are called Hydracids. For e.g. HCl, HI, HBr, etc.
Classification based on its concentration
As we have studied above, the concentration of the acid depends on the number of hydrogen ions that it produces in water. Based on this the acid is classified as :
Concentrated Acid: When an aqueous solution has a relatively high percentage of acid dissolved in it, then it is a concentrated acid. For e.g. concentrated hydrochloric acid, concentrated sulphuric acid, concentrated nitric acid, etc.
Diluted Acid: When an aqueous solution has a relatively low percentage of acid dissolved in it, then it is a dilute acid. For e.g. dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sulphuric acid, dilute nitric acid, etc.
Classification based on the basicity of the acid
Acid on dissociation in water produces hydrogen ion. The number of these hydrogen ions that can be replaced in an acid is the basicity of an acid.
Monobasic Acid: A monobasic acid is an acid which has only one hydrogen ion. Therefore, these acids combine with one hydroxyl group of the base to form salt and water. For e.g. HCl, HCOOH, HBr etc.
Dibasic Acid: Dibasic acid is that which shares twp hydroxyl groups it is known as dibasic acid. Dibasic acid dissociates in 2 steps. They can provide 2 kinds of salts i.e. the normal salt and a hydrogen salt.
Tribasic Acid: Tribasic acids are those which can combine with three hydroxyl groups. They have three replaceable hydrogen ions, and they produce 3 types of salts. For e.g. H3PO4
