Salts as acids and bases
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America Alvarado
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Tessa House 3A
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Re: Salts as acids and bases
Hi,
If both the cation and anion of a salt come from a strong acid and strong base, this salt is neutral because the conjugate base/acid of the strong acid/base are both weak. This means they will not act as an acid or base in water. However, when the cation or anion of a salt comes from a weak acid or base, it is a stronger acid/base itself and can act as an acid or base in water. For example, NaCl can be formed from NaOH and HCl, which are both strong. This means that NaCl is neutral and will not act as an acid or base in water. NaCN can be formed from NaOH and HCN. Because HCN is a weak acid, CN- is a stronger conjugate base to this weak acid and can gain a hydrogen ion to form HCN. This means that NaCN is basic. I hope this helps!
If both the cation and anion of a salt come from a strong acid and strong base, this salt is neutral because the conjugate base/acid of the strong acid/base are both weak. This means they will not act as an acid or base in water. However, when the cation or anion of a salt comes from a weak acid or base, it is a stronger acid/base itself and can act as an acid or base in water. For example, NaCl can be formed from NaOH and HCl, which are both strong. This means that NaCl is neutral and will not act as an acid or base in water. NaCN can be formed from NaOH and HCN. Because HCN is a weak acid, CN- is a stronger conjugate base to this weak acid and can gain a hydrogen ion to form HCN. This means that NaCN is basic. I hope this helps!
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America Alvarado
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