Question 61 of 69beginner🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

Predict if the solutions of the following salts are neutral, acidic or basic: NaCl, KBr, NaCN, NH4_4NO3_3, NaNO2_2 and KF

Correct Answer

(KBr) Neutral

(KF) Basic

(NaCl) Neutral

(NaCN) Basic

(NaNO2) Basic

(NH4NO3) Acidic

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 6.63 | (Page 46)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The nature of a salt solution depends on the strength of the parent acid and base. Salts formed from strong acids and strong bases do not hydrolyse and are neutral. Salts of weak acids and strong bases hydrolyse to produce OH⁻ ions, making the solution basic. Salts of strong acids and weak bases hydrolyse to produce H⁺ ions, making the solution acidic.

Solution Steps

  1. NaCl and KBr are salts of strong acids (HCl, HBr) and strong bases (NaOH, KOH). Their ions simply get hydrated and do not hydrolyse, so their solutions are neutral.

  2. NaCN, NaNO2, and KF are salts of weak acids (HCN, HNO2, HF) and strong bases (NaOH, KOH). Their anions undergo hydrolysis to produce OH⁻ ions, making their solutions basic.

  3. NH4NO3 is a salt of a strong acid (HNO3) and a weak base (NH4OH). Its cation undergoes hydrolysis to produce H⁺ ions, making the solution acidic.

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