Chapter 17: Problem 84
Arrange the following \(0.10 \mathrm{M}\) solutions in order of increasing pH. (a) \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) (b) \(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{Cl}\) (c) \(\mathrm{HCl}\) (d) \(\mathrm{NaCH}_{3} \mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (e) \(\mathrm{KOH}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The order is (c) HCl, (b) NH₄Cl, (a) NaCl, (d) NaCH₃CO₂, (e) KOH.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding pH
The pH scale is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is. A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution, pH equal to 7 is neutral, and a pH greater than 7 indicates a basic solution.
02
Analyze Each Compound
- **NaCl**: A neutral salt formed from a strong acid (HCl) and strong base (NaOH), resulting in a pH around 7.
- **NH₄Cl**: An acidic salt from a strong acid (HCl) and a weak base (NH₃), resulting in a pH less than 7.
- **HCl**: A strong acid, giving a very low pH.
- **NaCH₃CO₂**: A basic salt formed from a weak acid (CH₃COOH) and a strong base (NaOH), resulting in a pH greater than 7.
- **KOH**: A strong base with a very high pH.
03
Order by Increasing pH
Arrange the solutions from lowest to highest pH: (c) HCl, (b) NH₄Cl, (a) NaCl, (d) NaCH₃CO₂, (e) KOH. This order is based on the strength and nature of the acids and bases each compound forms.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Acidic Solutions
Acidic solutions are those with a pH less than 7. These solutions arise due to the presence of compounds that release hydrogen ions \( H^+ \) into the water. For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid that completely dissociates in water, thus releasing a large amount of \( H^+ \), resulting in a very low pH.
Here are some key characteristics of acidic solutions:
Here are some key characteristics of acidic solutions:
- They taste sour and can turn blue litmus paper red.
- Acidic solutions can conduct electricity because of the ions in the solution.
- They react with metals to produce hydrogen gas.
Basic Solutions
Basic solutions have a pH greater than 7. Such solutions are formed when substances release hydroxide ions \( OH^- \) into the solution. An example is potassium hydroxide (KOH), a strong base that dissociates completely in water to provide \( OH^- \), thereby increasing the pH significantly.
Key traits of basic solutions include:
Key traits of basic solutions include:
- A bitter taste and slippery feel.
- The ability to turn red litmus paper blue, indicating their basic nature.
- They can neutralize acids, forming water and salt.
Neutral Solutions
Neutral solutions have a pH that equals exactly 7. This occurs when the concentration of hydrogen ions \( H^+ \) is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions \( OH^- \). A common example is pure water, where this balance exists naturally.
Some key points about neutral solutions:
Some key points about neutral solutions:
- They do not change the color of litmus paper, as they are neither acidic nor basic.
- In neutralization reactions, an acid and base combine to form such solutions.
- Neutral solutions are generally non-corrosive and safe for many uses.
Strong Acids and Bases
Strong acids and bases dissociate completely in water, resulting in maximum production of \( H^+ \) for acids and \( OH^- \) for bases. HCl is a strong acid, contributing to an extremely low pH, while KOH is a strong base with a very high pH in solutions.
Characteristics of strong acids and bases:
Characteristics of strong acids and bases:
- They typically have extreme pH values, either very low or very high.
- Strong acids and bases conduct electricity very well due to the high ion concentration.
- They are highly reactive and must be handled with care.
Weak Acids and Bases
Weak acids and bases do not fully dissociate in water, meaning only a fraction of their molecules release \( H^+ \) or \( OH^- \). Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is an example of a compound that, when dissolved, contributes to a solution being weakly acidic. Similarly, sodium acetate (NaCH₃CO₂) forms a weakly basic solution.
Some highlights about weak acids and bases include:
Some highlights about weak acids and bases include:
- They have pH values close to 7, either slightly below or above.
- Weak acids and bases conduct electricity poorly compared to their strong counterparts.
- They react more gradually and are less aggressive in nature.