You are given aqueous solutions of the following salts at 25°C. Predict whether
ID: 552710 • Letter: Y
Question
You are given aqueous solutions of the following salts at 25°C. Predict whether each solution will be acidic, basic, or neutral, and explain why.
(a) potassium propanoate, KC3H5O2
(b) calcium iodide, CaI2
(c) ammonium hypochlorite, NH4ClO
The cation, NH4+, is the conjugate acid of a weak base and will tend to lower the pH. The anion, ClO, is the conjugate base of a weak acid and will tend to raise the pH. The Kb of ClO (2.5107) is greater than the Ka of NH4+ (5.61010).
Therefore, when ammonium hypochlorite is dissolved in water, more hydroxide ions will be produced than hydronium ions. Consequently, a solution of ammonium hypochlorite will be ---Select--- acidic basic neutral .
(d) zinc(II) chlorate, Zn(ClO3)2
The anion, ClO3, is the conjugate base of a strong acid and will not affect the pH. The cation, Zn2+, is a small metal ion with a large positive charge.
It acts as a Lewis acid, attracting the unshared electron pairs of water molecules. In this interaction, the Zn2+ ion pulls electron density toward itself and weakens the O–H bonds of the water molecules, leading to the transfer of hydrogen ions to neighboring water molecules to produce H3O+ ions. Because the concentration of H3O+ ions increases, a solution of zinc(II) chlorate is ---Select--- acidic basic neutral .
Explanation / Answer
(a) KC3H5O2 + H2O -----> C3H4O2- + K+
potassium propanoate in water produce propanoate anion
Therfore, a solution of potassium propanoate, KC3H5O2 is Basic
(b) CaI2 + 2 H2O -------> Ca(OH)2 + 2 HI
Calcium iodide react with water to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen iodide and HI is a strong acid
Therfore, a solution of calcium iodide is acidic
(c) NH4ClO + H2O ----> NH4OH + HOCl
Ammonium hypochlorite when dissolved in water, produce more hydroxide ions than hydronium ions
Therefore, a solution of Ammonium hypochlorite is Basic
(d) Zn(ClO3)2 + H2O -----> Zn(OH)2 + HClO4
Because the concentration of H3O+ ions increases, a solution of zinc(II) chlorate is acidic
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.