An aqueous solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) undergoes salt hydrolysis, causing it to tur… — JAMB UTME

An aqueous solution of sodium chloride ( $NaCl$ ) undergoes salt hydrolysis, causing it to turn blue litmus paper red.

Answer: Answer

The statement is false. Sodium chloride (

NaCl

) is a neutral salt of a strong acid (

HCl

) and a strong base (

NaOH

); its ions do not undergo hydrolysis in aqueous solution.

The statement is false because sodium chloride (

NaCl

) originates from a strong acid (

HCl

) and a strong base (

NaOH

). Since neither cation (

Na^+

) nor anion (

Cl^-

) reacts hydrolytically with water, the aqueous solution maintains a neutral

\text{pH}

of 7 and has no effect on blue litmus paper.

Identify the parent acid and base that form sodium chloride (

NaCl

The parent acid is hydrochloric acid (

HCl

, a strong acid) and the parent base is sodium hydroxide (

NaOH

, a strong base).

Knowing the relative strengths of the parent acid and base determines whether hydrolysis occurs.

Determine the hydrolysis tendency of the constituent ions (

Na^+

and

Cl^-

Neither

Na^+

nor

Cl^-

undergoes hydrolysis in aqueous solution.

Conjugate ions of strong acids and strong bases are extremely weak and do not react with water molecules.

Deduce the solution acidity/alkalinity and its effect on litmus paper.

The concentrations of

H^+

and

OH^-

remain equal, giving a neutral solution (

\text{pH} = 7

) that does not turn blue litmus paper red.

Without hydrolysis generating excess

H^+

ions, the solution cannot display acidic behavior.

Salts derived from strong acids and strong bases yield neutral aqueous solutions because their ions do not hydrolyze.

Estimated Time:45s

Question