Determine if SrCl₂ is acidic, basic, or neutral in an aqueous solution and explain why.

• A. SrCl₂ is acidic because it donates protons in solution.
• B. SrCl₂ is neutral because it is a salt of a strong acid and a strong base.
• C. SrCl₂ is basic because it accepts protons in solution.
• D. SrCl₂ is acidic because it forms a weak acid in solution.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the components of SrCl₂: SrCl₂ is composed of Sr²⁺ (strontium ion) and Cl⁻ (chloride ion).
2. Determine the origin of each ion: Sr²⁺ comes from Sr(OH)₂, a strong base, and Cl⁻ comes from HCl, a strong acid.
3. Understand the behavior of ions in water: In an aqueous solution, strong acids and strong bases dissociate completely, and their ions do not react further with water to change the pH.
4. Analyze the effect on pH: Since both Sr²⁺ and Cl⁻ are derived from strong acid and strong base, they do not affect the pH of the solution, making SrCl₂ neutral.
5. Conclude the nature of the solution: SrCl₂ in an aqueous solution is neutral because it is a salt formed from a strong acid and a strong base, neither of which alters the pH of the solution.