Question

Predict whether solutions of each of the following salts will be acidic, basic, or neutral. Explain your reasoning for each by writing a balanced net ionic equation to describe the chemistry of each non-neutral salt in water:

a. NaCN
b. KNO3
c. NH4Cl
d. NaHCO3
e. Na3PO4.

Answer 1

NaCN- basic salt

KNO3 - neutral salt

NH4Cl - acid salt

NaHCO3 - acid salt

Na3PO4 - acid salt

Step-by-step explanation:

Salt hydrolysis a process by which salts react with water giving an acid and a base.

When we dissolve NaCN in water, we have;

NaCN + - ⇄ Na^+ + CN^-

KNO3 ------> K^+ + NO3^-

NH4Cl ------> NH4^+ + Cl^-

NaHCO3 -----> Na^+ + HCO3^-

Na3PO4 ----> 3Na^+ + PO4^3-

Note that if a salt is formed from a weak acid and a strong base, the salt will be a basic salt e.g NaCN formed from weak HCN and strong NaOH.

If a salt is formed from a strong acid and weak base, the salt will be acidic, e.gNH4Cl formed from weak NH3 and strong HCl.

If a salt is formed from a strong acid and strong base, the salt will be neutral, e.g KNO3 formed from strong KOH and strong HNO3.