Question 1

Which of the following salts will produce a basic solution when dissolved in water?

Accepted Answer

NaF

Question 2

What is the expected pH of a solution of Al(NO3)3 in water, and why?

Accepted Answer

pH \u003c 7, because $$Al^{3+}$$ acts as a weak acid and hydrolyzes water to produce H_3O^+

Question 3

Which of the following statements best explains why NaCl is neutral in water?

Accepted Answer

Both Na^+ and Cl^- are ions of strong acid and strong base, so neither reacts with water

Question 4

A solution of NH4NO3 is:

Accepted Answer

Acidic, because $$NH_4^+ is a $$weak acid and $$NO_3^- is $$neutral

Question 5

Which of the following cations will make an aqueous solution acidic due to hydrolysis?

Accepted Answer

$$Fe^{3+}$$

Question 6

Which of the following anions will NOT react with water to affect the pH of a solution?

Accepted Answer

Cl^-

Question 7

A salt is formed from the reaction of a strong acid and a weak base. What is the expected pH of its aqueous solution?

Accepted Answer

pH \u003c 7

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the behavior of $$Fe^{3+} in $$water?

Accepted Answer

It acts as a Lewis acid, hydrolyzing water to produce H_3O^+ and lowering the pH

Question 9

Which salt will produce a neutral solution when dissolved in water?

Accepted Answer

KBr

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why Ba(CH_3COO)_2 forms a basic solution?

Accepted Answer

$$Ba^{2+} is $$neutral, but CH_3COO^- is the conjugate base of a weak acid and reacts with water to form OH^-

Question 11

Which of the following combinations will always result in a neutral salt solution?

Accepted Answer

Group I metal cation and anion of a strong acid

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the acid-base behavior of $$Zn^{2+} in $$water, given its $$K_a = 2.5 	imes 10$$^{-10}$$?

Accepted Answer

It is a weak acid and will slightly lower the pH of water

Question 13

A solution of KCN is expected to be:

Accepted Answer

Basic, because CN^- is the conjugate base of a weak acid and reacts with water to form OH^-

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why $$Fe^{3+}$$ has a much higher $$K_a$$ than $$Fe^{2+}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$Fe^{3+}$$ has a higher charge density, polarizing water molecules more and increasing hydrolysis

Question 15

Which of the following salts will produce an acidic solution when dissolved in water?

Accepted Answer

NH_4Cl

Question 16

If a salt is made from a weak acid and a weak base, what can be said about the pH of its solution?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the relative strengths (K_a and K_b) of the acid and base

Question 17

Which of the following is true about the hydrolysis of transition metal cations in water?

Accepted Answer

They tend to make the solution acidic by producing H_3O^+

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the behavior of Cl^- in water?

Accepted Answer

It is the conjugate base of a strong acid and does not react with water

Acid-Base Properties of Salt Solutions

Study Guide - Practice Questions