How does salt affect pH?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 9, 2017

Does the anion or cation undergo hydrolysis?

Explanation:

Salts of weak acids, such as fluorides will give rise to a slightly basic solution:

#NaF(aq) + H_2O rightleftharpoons Na^(+) + HF(aq) + HO^-#

For another example, look at the acid-base behaviour of ammonium salts:

#NH_4^(+) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoonsNH_3(aq) + H_3O^+#

In each case, the equilibrium lies to the left as we face the equation, but the equilibrium still operates, and is certainly quantifiable.

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