How to Determine if a Reaction is in Basic or Acidic Solution?

[Sam Wentzel 1F 14B]

I know that for reactions in basic solution, I must balance the final H+'s of the reaction with OH-'s.

I was wondering what ways I can tell the reaction occurs in basic or acidic solution?

[Thomas Gimeno]

I think they'll always tell us. Or, there will be some information in the problem that will make it clear, like if the reaction is occurring in a solution of hydrochloric acid for example.

[Jose Miguel Conste 3H]

The problem will most likely clearly state whether it is basic or acidic

[Margia Adriano 2A]

Hi there! Based on what I've seen, they'll either tell you, or you can determine it from what species are present. For example, in Sapling Wk 7/8 question 4, HNO3 is present and is a strong acid, so we can assume that it's going to be in acidic conditions. Hope this helps!

[Alex Mele 2A]

I think you can look at it the same way and check for the presence of OH- in a basic solution and H+ in an acidic solution! If you look at the sapling problems, you'll see that the basic solution equations have OH- in their final equations.

[905290504]

they usually tell you but if it doesnt you can assume it's acidic

[Aaina 2D]

Hi! In all the questions I see so far, they tell you if the reaction is occurring in a basic or acidic solution. If not, I would assume based on the reactants or products given, we can determine whether the solution formed is acidic or basic (if the reaction involves acids or bases as reactants or products).

[Melissa Solis 1H]

As of right now, I'm pretty sure they'll make it evident whether the reaction we are working with is in an acidic or basic solution.

[SamayaJoshi1A]

I also know that balancing a redox reaction in a basic solution involves and extra step to get rid of the H+ ions. f

[Hope Fan 2A]

I’m pretty sure they will tell us if the reaction is in acidic or basic conditions (just based on the problems so far). Like others have said above, you can also probably tell based on whether there is a strong acid or base in the reactants or products.

[Serena Song 1A]

They will usually explicitly state if the solution is acidic or basic in the problem luckily! At least this is what I've noticed based on the practice problems.

[Sejal Parsi 3K]

They’ll usually tell you or you can tell by the species present.

[Ivy Tan 1E]

I think the problem will usually state whether the reaction occurs in acidic or basic solution (you won't have to figure that yourself). Hope that helps!

[AmyHo2K]

I'm pretty sure the question has to tell us because the result from it being in an acidic solution would be different from what you would get if it was in a basic solution.

[LeahSWM 2E]

I believe they will always provide that information, so you're good!

[Brianna Chen 3F]

The problem will most likely specify whether it solution is acidic or basic.

[Aayushi Jani 3A]

Yes, the problem should specify since there's no way for us to know otherwise.

[Zainab Jamali 1H]

I had the same question! Thank you for asking :)

[Karina Grover 1A]

The problem will specify whether or not the reaction occurs in acidic or basic solution. When it comes to identifying, too, you can always tell if a reaction is in acidic solution if there are H+ ions in the overall reaction and if a reaction is in basic solution if there are OH- ions in the overall reaction.

[Simi Kapila_3E]

I would check the reaction to see if there is a strong acid present, like Cl-, or strong base, like OH-, K+, to see if it indicates whether it is acidic or basic. Otherwise, most likely I think the problem will indicate if it is acidic or basic.

[Nayra Gharpetian 3F]

the problem will have to specify whether it is in acidic or basic solution

[Justin Lin 1B]

From what I've noticed, all the problems should tell us if it's under acidic or basic conditions

[Sharon Kim 2A]

If we are balancing redox reactions, the problem would have to tell you if it is either an acidic or basic solution. That way we know how to balance our reaction according to the solution. Meaning knowing when to leave the reaction with H+ or add OH-'s.

[DPatel_2L]

the problem will typically state which one it is.

[BKoh_2E]

Since the textbook and sapling problems tell you what type of solution it is in, Professor Lavelle will likely tell us on a final question.

[Lesly Lopez 3A]

From the practice question we have done I think that they ould give us that information so I do not think you should worry about that. If anything, know how to find conjugates or something along those lines.
Acidic solution --> H+ ions in the overall reaction.
Basic solution --> OH- ions in the overall reaction.

[Chudi Onyedika 3A]

The problems will typically state whether the reaction occurs in an acidic or basic solution.

[Mingzi Yang 1E]

In a few of the sapling questions, they state whether a reaction is in basic or acidic solution so I think that will be the same for other questions.

[Ansh Patel 2I]

Hi! Usually the questions tell you whether the reaction is basic or acidic.

[jasmineculilap_3F]

I think the problem should tell us.

[Brandon Gruender 3F]

The question will likely tell you, so then you will know how to balance the redox reaction.

[Aanya Tanti 3C]

The problem should specify it as there is no way to know without that.

[Daniela Santana 2L]

In most of the problems I've seen it is usually stated somewhere in the problem if the reaction is taking place in acidic or basic solution.

[Abhinav Behl 3G]

The question will explicitly ask you to calculate the redox reaction in either acidic or basic conditions. If it says acidic, then you know your final answer will have H+ ions, and if it is basic, then your answer will have OH- ions.

[Justin Zhang_1A]

This will usually be specified in the problem.

[Emerald Wong 1B]

From the UA sessions I've attended, it will most likely tell you. If it doesn't state, you can assume acidic conditions. During the exam, I think the question will be very clear, but you can probably ask your TA if you are uncertain.

[kentbui1d]

For the most part it will be in the question.

[Alan Huang 1E]

As others have stated, I think it would be part of the question and given.

[YuditGaribay3J]

I think they would tell us if it is acidic or basic. I had the same question but a lot of problems I have encountered have told me that they are basic or acidic.

[Queena Chu 3E]

Most likely, the question will tell you if it's acidic or basic.

[kristinalaudis3e]

the question usually gives you that info!!!

[Teti Omilana 1G]

That should be given.

[Neha Jonnalagadda 2D]

The problem usually states if its in basic or acidic solution.

[Aanjaneyaa]

They should tell us. I am not really sure how else we would be able to figure that out.

[JasmineReyes-2K]

Hi!,

This is usually already given but if not, you can assume based off your final answer having either H+ or -OH ions.

[Skylar Lo 2C]

The problem will usually indicate if the reaction is in a basic or acidic solution

[ThomasL1L]

I would assume that based on previous problems it should either tell us or it will use a very obvious species of strong acid or base that we should know by now.

[isabella garcia - 1G]

I think the question will explicitly tell us whether the reaction is taking place in a basic or acidic solution.

[benkw_3I]

The problem will usually state whether the reaction is basic or acidic.

[Wren Xu 3A]

It seems like they'll either tell you or you can tell from the chemical equation. If OH- is presented then this is a basic solution. If H+ or H3O+ is presented then this is an acidic solution.

[Mahika Saoji 3K]

Hi! Usually the problem will tell you if the reaction is basic or acidic. If they don't state it, then I believe we can assume it will be acidic. I hope that helped!

[Madison Yee 2B]

Usually you can tell from the problem. For example, if the compound has the word "acid" in its name or they give you a pKa value.

[Diana Avalos]

The problem should specify whether the reaction occurs in an acidic or basic solution. This can be given by stating the pH or pKa.

[005502505]

Hi! I think generally, the problem will state is the solution is acidic or basic, but if not, you can draw conclusions based on the amount of product/reactant. Hope this helps!