Question

Identify the following salts as acidic, basic or neutral and also
mention the reason.
a. Magnesium carbonate
b. Ammonium sulphate
c. Sodium nitrate
d. Potassium acetate​

Answer 1

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a. Basic

Magnesium carbonate is a basic hydrated magnesium carbonate or a normally hydrated magnesium carbonate. It occurs as light, white, friable masses or as a bulky white powder. It is odourless and is stable in air. It is practically insoluble in water to which however it imparts a slightly alkaline reaction. Hence, it is basic.

b. Ammonium Sulphate is Acidic

Ammonium sulfate decomposes upon heating above 250 °C, first forming ammonium bisulfate. Heating at higher temperatures results in decomposition into ammonia, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and water. As a salt of a strong acid (H 2SO 4) and weak base (NH 3), its solution is acidic; pH of 0.1 M solution is 5.5.