Question

What is a salt?
Why aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is basic in nature?
Why is an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride acidic in nature?

Answer 1

Explanation:

a) salt

A salt is a compound composed of two ions - a positively charged ion and a negatively charged ion. The attraction between the two ions forms strong ionic bonds, giving salts a hard and brittle crystalline structure.

b) Sodium carbonate when dissolved in water is hydrolysed to form a weak acid, carbonic acid and a strong base sodium hydroxide. Hence, an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is alkaline in nature.

C) Ammonium chloride is a salt of a strong acid (HCl) and a weak base (NH3). ... The presence of such additional hydrogen ions that are formed due to hydrolysis is responsible for the distinct acidic nature of an aqueous solution of a salt of a strong acid and a weak base like ammonium chloride.