Chapter 17: Problem 103
Arrange the following \(0.10 \mathrm{M}\) solutions in order of increasing pH. (a) \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) (b) \(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{Cl}\) (c) \(\mathrm{HCl}\) $$\begin{aligned} &\text { (d) } \mathrm{NaCH}_{3} \mathrm{CO}_{2}\\\ &\text { (e) } \mathrm{KOH} \end{aligned}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Order of increasing pH: HCl, NH4Cl, NaCl, NaCH3CO2, KOH.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the nature of each solute
\(\mathrm{NaCl}\) is a neutral salt, \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{Cl}\) is an acidic salt due to the \(\mathrm{NH}_4^+\) ion, \(\mathrm{HCl}\) is a strong acid, \(\mathrm{NaCH}_3\mathrm{CO}_2\) is a basic salt because of the acetate ion \(\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{COO}^-\), and \(\mathrm{KOH}\) is a strong base.
02
Determine the effect on pH for each solution
Neutral salts like \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) do not affect pH, acidic salts like \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{Cl}\) decrease pH, strong acids like \(\mathrm{HCl}\) even more decrease pH, basic salts like \(\mathrm{NaCH}_3\mathrm{CO}_2\) increase pH, and strong bases like \(\mathrm{KOH}\) significantly increase pH.
03
Rank the solutions based on pH effect
The order based on pH from lowest to highest is: \(\mathrm{HCl} < \mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{Cl} < \mathrm{NaCl} < \mathrm{NaCH}_3\mathrm{CO}_2 < \mathrm{KOH}\). \(\mathrm{HCl}\) is most acidic, \(\mathrm{NH}_4\mathrm{Cl}\) is less acidic, \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) is neutral, \(\mathrm{NaCH}_3\mathrm{CO}_2\) is slightly basic, and \(\mathrm{KOH}\) is strongly basic.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Acidic Solutions
When we talk about acidic solutions, we refer to solutions with a pH less than 7. These solutions have a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H extsuperscript{+}) compared to hydroxide ions (OH extsuperscript{-}). This high concentration of H extsuperscript{+} ions is what gives these solutions their acidic properties.
In the exercise above, hydrochloric acid ( HCl ) and ammonium chloride ( NH_4Cl ) are examples of substances that can create acidic solutions.
In the exercise above, hydrochloric acid ( HCl ) and ammonium chloride ( NH_4Cl ) are examples of substances that can create acidic solutions.
- Hydrochloric Acid (HCl): This is a strong acid that completely dissociates in water, releasing one hydrogen ion for every molecule of HCl. Hence, it significantly lowers the pH of a solution.
- Ammonium Chloride (NH_4Cl): This is an acidic salt due to the presence of the ammonium ion ( NH_4^+ ), which can release a hydrogen ion by reacting with water, thereby slightly lowering the pH.
Basic Solutions
Basic solutions have a pH greater than 7 and contain more hydroxide ions (OH extsuperscript{-}) than hydrogen ions (H extsuperscript{+}). These solutions can neutralize acids and feel slippery to the touch.
In the given exercise, potassium hydroxide ( KOH ) and sodium acetate ( NaCH_3CO_2 ) are examples of substances leading to basic solutions.
In the given exercise, potassium hydroxide ( KOH ) and sodium acetate ( NaCH_3CO_2 ) are examples of substances leading to basic solutions.
- Potassium Hydroxide (KOH): This is a strong base, dissociating completely in water to yield hydroxide ions, thus significantly increasing the pH.
- Sodium Acetate (NaCH_3CO_2): This is a basic salt. The acetate ion can react with water to produce OH extsuperscript{-} ions, slightly increasing the pH of the solution.
Neutral Solutions
Neutral solutions have a pH of around 7, meaning the concentration of hydrogen ions (H extsuperscript{+}) is equal to that of hydroxide ions (OH extsuperscript{-}). Typically, pure water is the standard example of a neutral solution.
In the exercise, sodium chloride (NaCl) represents a neutral salt. When dissolved in water, NaCl dissociates into sodium ( Na^+ ) and chloride ( Cl^- ) ions, neither of which affects the pH of the solution.
In the exercise, sodium chloride (NaCl) represents a neutral salt. When dissolved in water, NaCl dissociates into sodium ( Na^+ ) and chloride ( Cl^- ) ions, neither of which affects the pH of the solution.
- Sodium Chloride (NaCl): Being a neutral salt, it does not alter the concentration of H extsuperscript{+} or OH extsuperscript{-} ions in the solution, maintaining neutrality.
Chemical Salts
Chemical salts are compounds resulting from the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. These salts can be neutral, acidic, or basic in nature, depending on the strengths of the acid and base from which they are formed.
For example, in the original exercise:
For example, in the original exercise:
- Sodium Chloride (NaCl): Formed from a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (NaOH), NaCl is a neutral salt as both components are equally strong.
- Ammonium Chloride (NH_4Cl): Resulting from a weak base (NH_3) and a strong acid (HCl), NH_4Cl is an acidic salt.
- Sodium Acetate (NaCH_3CO_2): Created from a strong base (NaOH) and a weak acid (acetic acid), making it a basic salt.
Strong Acids and Bases
Strong acids and bases are substances that completely dissociate into their ions in water. They have a major impact on the pH of solutions, driving the pH far from neutrality.
- Strong Acids (e.g., HCl): Fully ionize to give high concentrations of H extsuperscript{+} ions, dramatically lowering the pH.
- Strong Bases (e.g., KOH): Fully ionize to release high concentrations of OH extsuperscript{-} ions, substantially raising the pH.