What is the usual nature of an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Acidic
Ammonium chloride is regarded at this level as the salt of a strong acid, hydrochloric acid, and a weak base, ammonium hydroxide. In water, NH4+ undergoes hydrolysis and produces hydronium ions: NH4+ + H2O ⇌ NH3 + H3O+. The resulting excess of H3O+ makes the solution acidic, although it is not necessarily strongly acidic. Therefore option C is correct; it is not neutral or basic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
Acidic
Why is this the correct answer?
Ammonium chloride is regarded at this level as the salt of a strong acid, hydrochloric acid, and a weak base, ammonium hydroxide. In water, NH4+ undergoes hydrolysis and produces hydronium ions: NH4+ + H2O ⇌ NH3 + H3O+. The resulting excess of H3O+ makes the solution acidic, although it is not necessarily strongly acidic. Therefore option C is correct; it is not neutral or basic.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Science question. Chapter: Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour. Topic: Acids, Bases, and Salts.
