Is Salt an Acid or a Base? | Youneedinfoo

Both can be depending on salt origin and solution type. When it comes from a strong acid and weak base reaction, then it will create an acidic solution, such as NH4Cl salt. It will produce NH4OH weak base and HCl strong acid in an ideal solution like water.

 

NH4Cl + H2O = NH4OH + HCl

 

So, this is an acidic solution. On the other hand, when it comes from a weak acid and a strong base reaction, then it will produce a base solution, such as CH3COONa salt. It will produce CH3COOH weak acid and NaOH strong base.

 

CH3COONa + H2O = CH3COOH + NaOH

This is a basic solution and CH3COONa is a basic salt.

On the other hand, NaCl salt is neither an acid nor a base. It is neutral. Because it’s from strong acid HCl and strong base NaOH. So, they will create a neutralized solution. Its pH will be at 7. That’s why NaCl is neither acid nor base, it is a neutral salt. Thank you.

 

  HCl = H+ + Cl- (HCl as Strong Acid)

 

  NaOH = Na+ + OH- (NaOH as Strong Basse)

 

NaOH (Strong Base) + HCl (Strong Acid) = NaCl + H2O (Neutral Salt)

 

NaCl + H2O = NaOH + HCl (Neutral Solution, neither acid, nor base)

 

That’s why NaCl is neither acid nor base, it is a neutral salt.