Chapter 16: Problem 69
Predict the \(\mathrm{pH}(>7,<7,\) or \(\approx 7)\) of the aqueous solutions containing the following salts: (a) \(\mathrm{KBr}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Al}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}\) (c) \(\mathrm{BaCl}_{2}\) (d) \(\mathrm{Bi}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{3}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
(a) Neutral, (b) Acidic, (c) Neutral, (d) Acidic.
Step by step solution
01
Determine the nature of each ion
To predict the pH of a salt solution, we start by identifying the possible reactions of the ions with water. For each salt, dissociate it into its respective cations and anions.
- **(a)** KBr dissociates into K鈦 and Br鈦. K鈦 is a neutral cation from a strong base (KOH), and Br鈦 is a neutral anion from a strong acid (HBr).
- **(b)** Al(NO鈧)鈧 dissociates into Al鲁鈦 and NO鈧冣伝. NO鈧冣伝 is a neutral anion from a strong acid (HNO鈧), and Al鲁鈦 is a cation that can hydrolyze.
- **(c)** BaCl鈧 dissociates into Ba虏鈦 and Cl鈦. Ba虏鈦 is a neutral cation from a strong base (Ba(OH)鈧), and Cl鈦 is a neutral anion from a strong acid (HCl).
- **(d)** Bi(NO鈧)鈧 dissociates into Bi鲁鈦 and NO鈧冣伝. Bi鲁鈦 can hydrolyze, while NO鈧冣伝 is neutral.
02
Predict the effect of cations and anions on solution pH
After dissociation, analyze the ions to assess the overall effect on the pH:
- **(a) KBr:** K鈦 and Br鈦 are both from strong acid and base, meaning they don't affect pH. The solution will have a **neutral pH (鈮7)**.
- **(b) Al(NO鈧)鈧:** Al鲁鈦 is a small, highly charged cation which can hydrolyze in water to produce H鈦 ions, making the solution **acidic (pH<7)**.
- **(c) BaCl鈧:** Ba虏鈦 and Cl鈦 are from strong acid and base, so they don't affect the pH. The solution will remain **neutral (鈮7)**.
- **(d) Bi(NO鈧)鈧:** Bi鲁鈦, similar to Al鲁鈦, will hydrolyze in water generating H鈦 ions, making the solution **acidic (pH<7)**.
03
Confirm pH predictions based on ion interactions
Al鲁鈦 and Bi鲁鈦 can increase the acidity of the solution through hydrolysis:
- Al鲁鈦:
Al鲁鈦 + 3H鈧侽 鈬 Al(OH)鈧 + 3H鈦, increasing [H鈦篯 and lowering the pH.
- Bi鲁鈦:
Bi鲁鈦 + 3H鈧侽 鈬 Bi(OH)鈧 + 3H鈦, increasing [H鈦篯 and lowering the pH.
Thus, (b) Al(NO鈧)鈧 and (d) Bi(NO鈧)鈧 solutions are acidic, while (a) KBr and (c) BaCl鈧 remain neutral.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cation Hydrolysis
When certain cations dissolve in water, they can undergo a process called cation hydrolysis, wherein the cation reacts with water molecules. This interaction typically generates hydrogen ions, contributing to the acidity of the solution.
- For example, cations like \( ext{Al}^{3+}\) and \( ext{Bi}^{3+}\) have high positive charges and small ionic radii, making them highly polarizing. This results in hydrolysis reactions such as: \[\text{Al}^{3+} + 3\text{H}_2\text{O} \leftrightarrow \text{Al(OH)}_3 + 3\text{H}^+\] This process contributes to an increase in \(\text{H}^+\) concentration, leading to a lower pH.
- Cations from strong bases, such as \( ext{K}^+\) from \(\text{KOH}\), do not hydrolyze. They do not alter the pH, preserving the neutrality of solutions like \(\text{KBr}\).
pH Prediction
Determining the pH of salt solutions requires evaluating the potential effect of each ion, derived from the salt's dissociation, on the hydrogen ion concentration.
For instance, if both the cation and anion originate from strong acids and bases (like in \( ext{KBr}\) and \( ext{BaCl}_2\)), they do not change the pH, maintaining a neutral environment (\(\text{pH} \approx 7\)).
For instance, if both the cation and anion originate from strong acids and bases (like in \( ext{KBr}\) and \( ext{BaCl}_2\)), they do not change the pH, maintaining a neutral environment (\(\text{pH} \approx 7\)).
- Cations such as \(\text{Al}^{3+}\) and \(\text{Bi}^{3+}\), however, are noteworthy because they can undergo hydrolysis, incrementing the \(\text{H}^+\) presence, thus predicting an acidic (\(\text{pH} < 7\)) outcome.
Neutralization of Strong Acids and Bases
The neutral character of solutions formed by strong acids and bases is a result of the complete ionic dissociation these compounds undergo in water.
A salt like \(\text{KBr}\) illustrates this point well. Derived from a strong acid (\(\text{HBr}\)) and a strong base (\(\text{KOH}\)), when dissociated in water, \(\text{K}^+\) and \(\text{Br}^-\) do not engage in reactions affecting the hydrogen ion concentration.
This balance typically results in a neutral pH.
A salt like \(\text{KBr}\) illustrates this point well. Derived from a strong acid (\(\text{HBr}\)) and a strong base (\(\text{KOH}\)), when dissociated in water, \(\text{K}^+\) and \(\text{Br}^-\) do not engage in reactions affecting the hydrogen ion concentration.
This balance typically results in a neutral pH.
- For \(\text{BaCl}_2\), the rationale is similar: both \(\text{Ba}^{2+}\) and \(\text{Cl}^-\) ions do not impose any further pH changes, maintaining neutrality. This is commonly true when salts are made from strong acids and strong bases.
Ionic Dissociation
In water, salts dissociate into their respective cations and anions. This process is known as ionic dissociation and plays a crucial role in determining the resultant pH of the solution.
During dissociation, the individual ions separate and diffuse throughout the solution, allowing them to potentially interact with water molecules.
During dissociation, the individual ions separate and diffuse throughout the solution, allowing them to potentially interact with water molecules.
- For example, \(\text{KBr}\) dissociates to form \(\text{K}^+\) and \(\text{Br}^-\).
- Similarly, \(\text{Al(NO}_3)_3\) dissociates into \(\text{Al}^{3+}\) and \(\text{NO}_3^-\) ions.