Question

So if I have KNO₃ and I mix it with water, is the solution basic or acidic? How do I know? I'm very confused in how to know if acids or bases are made when mixing something with water..

Also, is ClO- a weak acid or a base when mixed with water? and how?

Answer 1

1) There are criteria to assigne nature of solution formed on dissolution of salt.

a) On dissotion of salt of Strong Acid and Strong Base (SASB) the resultant solution is neutral.

b) An aqueous solution of salt of Strong Acid and Weak Base (SAWB) is Acidic.

c) An aqueous solution of salt of Weak Acid and Strong Base (WASB) is Basic.

d) An aqueous solution of salt of Weak Acid and Weak Base (WAWB) depends on relative Ka and Kb values.

if, Ka > Kb the solution is Acidic

if, Ka < Kb the solution is Basic.

Based on this your question is answered.

a) KNO3 is a salt of Strong Acid (HNO3) and Strong Base (KOH) formed as,

KOH + HNO3 ---------> KNO3 + H2O. Salt formation.

and corresponding salt dossolution reaction is,

KNO3 + H-OH ------------> HNO3 + KOH

Od dissolution both acid and Base forms but in equal amount and hence there happen neutralization reaction.

As KNO3 is salt of SASB, aqueous solution of KNO3 is Neutral.

===============================================

b) HClO is a weak acid and it's ionization is,

HClO (aq) --------> H⁺ (aq) + ClO^- (aq)

ClO^- (aq) is a conjugate base of a weak acid and hence is a strong base.

ClO^- is a strong base.

===================XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX========================