EasyChemistryHigh School (11–12)Equilibrium › Buffers, Salt Hydrolysis and Solubility ProductEquilibrium › Ionic Equilibrium: Acids, Bases and pHConceptual
Say whether each solution in water is acidic, basic or close to neutral, and give the reason…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Say whether each solution in water is acidic, basic or close to neutral, and give the reason. (a) Potassium nitrate. (b) Sodium carbonate. (c) Ammonium nitrate. (d) Ammonium acetate.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Salt hydrolysis: an ion from a weak acid or a weak base reacts with water. A salt of a weak acid and a strong base gives a basic solution, . A salt of a strong acid and a weak base gives an acidic one, . and , with at .
The worked solution
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Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
(a) and KOH are both strong. No hydrolysis: neutral.
(b) Carbonic acid is weak and NaOH strong. The carbonate ion takes protons from water: basic.
(c) is strong and ammonia weak. The ammonium ion gives protons to water: acidic.
(d) Acetic acid and ammonia are both weak, with almost equal and : close to neutral.
Answer: (a) neutral, (b) basic, (c) acidic, (d) close to neutral.
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