Question

predict whether aqueous solutions of the following compounds are acidic, basic, or neutral. compound solution is...? naoh acidic basic neutral nai acidic basic neutral alcl₃ acidic basic neutral

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze \(NaOH\)

\(NaOH\) is a strong base. In aqueous solution, it dissociates completely as \(NaOH = Na^{+}+OH^{-}\). The presence of \(OH^{-}\) ions makes the solution basic.

Step2: Analyze \(NaI\)

\(NaI\) is a salt formed from the reaction of a strong base \(NaOH\) and a strong acid \(HI\). Salts of strong - base and strong - acid do not hydrolyze in water. So, the solution of \(NaI\) is neutral.

Step3: Analyze \(AlCl_{3}\)

\(AlCl_{3}\) is a salt of a weak base \(Al(OH)_{3}\) and a strong acid \(HCl\). The \(Al^{3 +}\) ion hydrolyzes in water: \(Al^{3+}+6H_{2}O
ightleftharpoons[Al(H_{2}O)_{5}(OH)]^{2 +}+H_{3}O^{+}\). The formation of \(H_{3}O^{+}\) ions makes the solution acidic.

Answer:

• \(NaOH\): basic
• \(NaI\): neutral
• \(AlCl_{3}\): acidic