Chemistry / Unit 10 Chem 1859 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Salt Hydrolysis: Predicting Acidic, Basic, or Neutral Salts
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The idea
A salt's pH is predicted by asking whether its ions are conjugates of a strong or weak acid or base: a weak conjugate reacts with water; a strong one does not.
In practice
Sodium acetate dissolves basic, since acetate, a weak acid's conjugate base, reacts with water.
Where people slip
A salt from a strong acid and strong base, like NaCl, dissolves neutral, since neither ion hydrolyzes.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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