Question about acidity of salts (1 Viewer)

[HowToNoob101]

Hey all, can someone explain to me why the salt NH4Cl is acidic? Is it because the Cl part could have came from HCl - which is a strong acid, hence the salt is acidic?

 

[bedpotato]

No, it's not because of that..

NH4Cl disassociates in water:
NH4Cl --> NH4+ + Cl-

NH4+ reacts with water to form an excess hydronium ions
NH4+ + H2O --> NH3 + H3O+
It is the presence of the hydronium ion that lowers the pH, and makes the solution acidic. Hence, NH4Cl is an acidic salt.

As for Cl-, it does not react with the water.

 

[HowToNoob101]

No, it's not because of that..

NH4Cl disassociates in water:
NH4Cl --> NH4+ + Cl-

NH4+ reacts with water to form an excess hydronium ions
NH4+ + H2O --> NH3 + H3O+
It is the presence of the hydronium ion that lowers the pH, and makes the solution acidic. Hence, NH4Cl is an acidic salt.

As for Cl-, it does not react with the water.

I see, thank you very much!