Asked in ETEA MDCAT 2013 2013

Which one of the following salts will produce an alkaline solution when dissolved in water?

Correct answer: C. Na2CO3

  • A. NH4Cl
  • B. NaNO3
  • C. Na2CO3
  • D. Na2SO4

Explanation

The correct answer is Na2CO3. Sodium carbonate forms an alkaline solution because it undergoes hydrolysis in water, releasing hydroxide ions (OH-) which increase the pH. In contrast:NH4Cl forms an acidic solution due to ammonium ions generating hydronium ions.NaNO3 remains neutral as neither ion affects pH significantly.Na2SO4 also results in a neutral solution for similar reasons to NaNO3.

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About Salts and Hydrolysis

Salt hydrolysis explains how ions from weak acids or weak bases react with water and affect the pH of a solution. The content covers acidic, basic and neutral salts, hydrolysis equations, Ka, Kb and Kw relationships, degree of hydrolysis and buffer connections, distinguishing hydrolysis from simple acid-base neutralisation.

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