Final answer:
NaHSO4 is an acidic salt because it is derived from the incomplete ionization of sulfuric acid, resulting in a hydrogen sulfate ion which has an extra hydrogen ion it can donate. On the other hand, Na2SO4 is a normal salt because it is derived from the complete ionization of sulfuric acid, which forms sulfate ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference in characteristics of NaHSO4 being an acidic salt and Na2SO4 being a normal salt is due to their formation from sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a strong diprotic acid, meaning it can donate two protons. The first ionization is essentially complete, resulting in the formation of sulfate ions (SO4^2-). This forms the normal salt Na2SO4 when combined with sodium from the strong base sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
However, the secondary ionization of sulfuric acid is not as complete and forms hydrogen sulfate ions (HSO4-). This, combined with sodium from NaOH, forms NaHSO4, an acidic salt. This is because the hydrogen sulfate ion is a moderately strong acid and will exhibit acidic behavior due to the presence of the extra hydrogen ion which it can donate.
Thus, the original statement that NaHSO4 is an acidic salt and Na2SO4 is a normal salt even though both of them are derived from the reaction of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide is correct.
Learn more about Acidic and Normal Salts