Question

State whether the following “salts” are acidic, basic or neutral:

a) Sodium Perchlorate _____________________

b) Ammonium Iodide _____________________

c) Magnesium Acetate _____________________

d) Potassium Nitrate _____________________

Answer 1

To determine whether the given "salts" are acidic, basic, or neutral, we need to consider the nature of the ions they produce when dissolved in water.

a) Sodium Perchlorate (NaClO4):
Sodium cation (Na+) is derived from a strong base (NaOH), and perchlorate anion (ClO4-) is derived from a strong acid (HClO4). Both ions are the conjugates of strong acids and bases, which makes the salt neither acidic nor basic. Therefore, sodium perchlorate is neutral.

b) Ammonium Iodide (NH4I):
Ammonium cation (NH4+) is derived from a weak base (NH3) and iodide anion (I-) is derived from a strong acid (HI). Since the ammonium ion is the conjugate of a weak base, it can act as a weak acid when dissolved in water. Therefore, ammonium iodide is acidic.

c) Magnesium Acetate (Mg(CH3COO)2):
Magnesium cation (Mg2+) is derived from a strong base (Mg(OH)2), and acetate anion (CH3COO-) is derived from a weak acid (acetic acid, CH3COOH). The acetate ion is the conjugate of a weak acid, so it can act as a weak base when dissolved in water. Therefore, magnesium acetate is slightly basic.

d) Potassium Nitrate (KNO3):
Potassium cation (K+) is derived from a strong base (KOH), and nitrate anion (NO3-) is derived from a strong acid (HNO3). Both ions are the conjugates of strong acids and bases, which makes the salt neither acidic nor basic. Therefore, potassium nitrate is neutral.

Goodluck, just double checkin !

Answer 2

To determine whether the salts or basic, acidic, or neutral, we must consider the nature of the ions that are dissociated into when the salts are dissolved in water.

Sodium Perchlorate dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and perchlorate ions (CIO4-). Because neither of these ions tend to react with water to produce hydroxide ions or protons, sodium perchlorate is considered neutral.

Ammonium Iodide dissociates into ammonium ions (NH4+) and iodide ions (I-), as suggested by the name. When ammonium ions react with water, they can potentially release protons. Therefore, ammonium iodide is considered acidic.

Magnesium Acetate dissociates into magnesium (Mg2+) and acetate ions (CH3OO-). Because acetate ions dissolve in water to release hydroxide ions, magnesium acetate is considered basic.

Potassium Nitrate dissociates into potassium (K+) and nitrate ions (NO3-). Because neither ions react with water to release protons or hydroxide ions, potassium nitrate is considered neutral.

A) Sodium Perchlorate: neutral

B) Ammonium Iodide: acidic

C) Magnesium Acetate: basic

D) Potassium Nitrate: neutral