Determine if salt is acidic, basic, or neutral

[isabellameyer1A]

How do you determine if the salt is acidic, basic, or neutral?
For example, the question is the salt (NH4Br) acidic, basic, or neutral?

[KaylaH]

A salt formed between a weak acid and a weak base can be acidic, basic, or neutral depending on the relative strengths of the acid and base. If Ka(cation) > Kb(anion) the solution of the salt is acidic. If Ka(cation) = Kb(anion) the solution of the salt is neutral.

[Saira Shahid 3K]

How do you know if an acid/base is strong or weak?

[304565545]

To determine whether an acid is strong or weak, refer to the chart in the course reader on page 151. There are very few common strong acids so memorizing those will definitely help you, if its not on that list and you know it is an acid, then it will likely be a weak base. Strong bases are usually group 1 hydroxides (Barium hydroxide is an exception since Ba is not in group 1!).

[Saira Shahid 3K]

Thanks! So should we memorize the chart if we're not familiar with it?