Question

Consider the acid-base nature of ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃, when it is dissolved in water.


(1) What are the acid-base properties of the cation?   _________acidic, basic, or neutral

(2) What are the acid-base properties of the anion?   _________acidic, basic, or neutral

(3) Would an aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate be acidic, basic or neutral?   _________

Answer 1

Ammonium chloride (NH,C) belongs to the salt category. It dissociates in aqueous solution as follows NH4CI(s) -NH4 (a)+Cl (aq) 1) In the above-mentioned acid-base reaction, ammonium ion (NH is the cationic species formed. It dissolves in water to form ammonia (NHas shown below: Since, hydronium ion HO is produced in the product, hence, the cation is acidic in nature 2) In the above-mentioned acid-base reaction, chloride ion (CI)is the anionic species formed. The chloride ion stays hvdrated in the presence of water Hence, the lanion is neutral in nature 3) From the above presented acid-base reaction, hydronium ion (HO and chloride ion CI)are produced in the product, hence, the cation is acidicin nature and anion is neutral in nature Hence, theaqueous solution of amm onium chloride is acidic in nature