Why is NaCl neutral?

A. Because it contains both hydrogen and hydroxide ions in equal amounts

B. Because it contains hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) in equal amounts

C. Because it does not contain any hydrogen or hydroxide ions

D. Because it dissociates completely in water

For those aiming to excel in their ATI TEAS test and secure admission into their desired nursing program, ExamGates offers an invaluable resource. Our platform features practice questions meticulously crafted by tutors who have previously aced the exam themselves. With ExamGates, you can access content that is 100% relevant to the test, accompanied by vivid images and illustrations. Additionally, our platform provides comprehensive explanations for both correct and incorrect answers, empowering you to fully grasp the material and optimize your study efforts. Take the first step towards your nursing aspirations with ExamGates today.

Answer Explanation:

Rationale for each choice:

A) Because it contains both hydrogen and hydroxide ions in equal amounts: This statement is incorrect. NaCl (sodium chloride) does not contain hydrogen or hydroxide ions. It dissociates into sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) in water, not hydrogen or hydroxide ions.

B) Because it contains hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) in equal amounts: This statement is incorrect. NaCl does not contain hydrogen or hydroxide ions. In aqueous solution, NaCl dissociates into sodium ions and chloride ions, not hydrogen or hydroxide ions.

C) Because it does not contain any hydrogen or hydroxide ions (Correct Answer): NaCl is a neutral compound composed of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). It does not contain any hydrogen or hydroxide ions, so it is neutral in aqueous solution.

D) Because it dissociates completely in water: NaCl does dissociate in water, but its dissociation does not involve the generation of hydrogen or hydroxide ions. It dissociates into sodium ions and chloride ions, which do not contribute to the pH of the solution. Therefore, the completeness of dissociation does not determine its neutrality.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.

More Questions on C2 Acids, Bases and Salts

Question 1:

How can copper sulfate crystals be separated from copper sulfate solution?

A. Filtration

B. Distillation

C. Decantation

D. Evaporation

The Correct Answer is D.

A) Filtration: Filtration is not suitable for separating dissolved substances from a solution. It is typically used to separate solid particles from a liquid mixture.

B) Distillation: Distillation is a process used to separate components of a mixture based on differences in their boiling points. It is not typically used to separate solid crystals from a solution.

C) Decantation: Decantation involves pouring off the liquid portion of a mixture, leaving the solid behind. While it can be used to separate solid and liquid phases, it may not effectively separate dissolved copper sulfate from the solution.

D) Evaporation (Correct Answer): Evaporation involves heating the solution to allow the solvent (water) to vaporize, leaving behind the solute (copper sulfate) as solid crystals. This process is commonly used to obtain solid crystals from a solution.


Question 2:

Why is ethanoic acid a weak acid?

A. Because it reacts slowly with bases

B. Because it forms a basic solution when dissolved in water

C. Because it only partially dissociates in solution

D. Because it has a low pH value

The Correct Answer is C.

Rationale for each choice:

A) Because it reacts slowly with bases: The rate of reaction with bases does not determine whether an acid is weak or strong. Ethanoic acid's reaction rate with bases is not a primary factor in its classification as a weak acid.

B) Because it forms a basic solution when dissolved in water: This statement is incorrect. Ethanoic acid is an acid and forms acidic solutions when dissolved in water.

C) Because it only partially dissociates in solution (Correct Answer): Ethanoic acid is considered a weak acid because it only partially dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and acetate ions (CH3COO-) in solution. This partial dissociation results in a lower concentration of hydrogen ions compared to strong acids.

D) Because it has a low pH value: While weak acids generally have higher pH values compared to strong acids, the pH value alone does not determine whether an acid is weak or strong. Ethanoic acid's weak acidity is primarily attributed to its partial dissociation in solution, rather than its pH value.


Question 3:

What ions make ethanoic acid acidic?

A. H+ ions

B. OH- ions

C. Na+ ions

D. Cl- ions

The Correct Answer is A.

A) H+ ions (Correct Answer): Ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is acidic because it donates protons (H+) in solution, leading to the formation of hydronium ions (H3O+). This process characterizes acids.

 

B) OH- ions: Hydroxide ions (OH-) typically characterize bases, not acids. Ethanoic acid doesn't contain hydroxide ions.

 

C) Na+ ions: Sodium ions (Na+) are not responsible for the acidity of ethanoic acid. Na+ ions are typically found in salts and do not contribute to acidity.

 

D) Cl- ions: Chloride ions (Cl-) are not responsible for the acidity of ethanoic acid. Cl- ions are typically found in salts and do not contribute to acidity.


Question 4:

When acids and bases react together, we call this a:

A. Neutralization reaction.

B. Decomposition reaction.

C. Synthesis reaction.

D. Redox reaction.

The Correct Answer is A.

A. Neutralization reaction. (Correct Answer): When acids and bases react, they undergo a neutralization reaction, resulting in the formation of water and a salt. In this reaction, the acidic properties of the acid are neutralized by the basic properties of the base.

B. Decomposition reaction: A decomposition reaction involves the breakdown of a compound into smaller substances. It does not typically describe the reaction between acids and bases.

C. Synthesis reaction: A synthesis reaction involves the formation of a compound from simpler substances. It does not typically describe the reaction between acids and bases.

D. Redox reaction: A redox reaction involves the transfer of electrons between reactants. While redox reactions can occur in certain acid-base reactions, they are not specific to the reaction between acids and bases. The typical reaction between acids and bases involves proton transfer rather than electron transfer. Therefore, "neutralization reaction" is a more specific and accurate term for this type of reaction.


Question 5:

What ions make ammonia solution alkaline?

A. Cl- ions

B. H+ ions

C. Na+ ions

D. OH- ions

The Correct Answer is D.

A) Cl- ions: Chloride ions (Cl-) are typically found in salts and do not contribute directly to the alkalinity of ammonia solution.

B) H+ ions: Hydrogen ions (H+) typically characterize acidic solutions, not alkaline solutions. Ammonia solution doesn't contain H+ ions.

C) Na+ ions: Sodium ions (Na+) are typically found in salts and do not contribute directly to the alkalinity of ammonia solution.

D) OH- ions (Correct Answer): Ammonia solution becomes alkaline due to the presence of hydroxide ions (OH-). Ammonia (NH3) reacts with water to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-), increasing the concentration of OH- ions and making the solution alkaline.


Question 6:

Suggest a pH value for ammonia solution.

A. 7-8

B. 9-10

C. 10-13

D. 13-14

The Correct Answer is C.

A) 7-8: This pH range suggests a neutral to slightly basic solution. Ammonia solution is typically more alkaline than this range.

B) 9-10: This pH range suggests a slightly basic solution. Ammonia solution is generally more alkaline than this range.

C) 10-13 (Correct Answer): Ammonia solution is typically alkaline and falls within the pH range of 10-13. Ammonia reacts with water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-), resulting in an alkaline solution.

D) 13-14: This pH range suggests a highly basic solution, which may be too high for typical ammonia solutions. Ammonia solutions are usually within the pH range of 10-13.


Question 7:

What is a precipitate?

A. A gas formed during a chemical reaction

B. A liquid formed when two aqueous solutions react

C. A solid formed when two aqueous solutions react

D. A solution formed during a chemical reaction

The Correct Answer is C.

A) A gas formed during a chemical reaction: While gases can indeed be produced during chemical reactions, a precipitate specifically refers to a solid that forms during a reaction.

B) A liquid formed when two aqueous solutions react: Precipitates are not liquids. They are solids that are formed when certain ions combine to form an insoluble compound.

C) A solid formed when two aqueous solutions react (Correct Answer): A precipitate is indeed a solid substance that forms when two aqueous solutions react and certain ions combine to create an insoluble compound.

D) A solution formed during a chemical reaction: A precipitate is not a solution. It is the solid product that separates out of a solution during a chemical reaction due to its limited solubility.


Question 8:

A solution with a pH of 5.0 _____.

A. has a hydrogen-ion concentration of 5.0M

B. is neutral

C. has a hydroxide-ion concentration of 1 x 10 –9 M

D. None of the above

The Correct Answer is D.

a. is basic: Incorrect. Solutions with pH values less than 7 are acidic, not basic. A pH of 5.0 indicates an acidic solution.

b. has a hydrogen-ion concentration of 5.0M: Incorrect. The pH value does not directly provide information about the concentration of hydrogen ions. pH is a logarithmic scale that measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

c. is neutral: Incorrect. Solutions with a pH of 7 are considered neutral. A pH of 5.0 indicates an acidic solution.

d. has a hydroxide-ion concentration of 1 x 10 –9 M: Incorrect. This statement relates to the calculation of hydroxide-ion concentration in a neutral solution using the Kw value (the ion product of water). It does not directly pertain to the pH value of the solution.


Question 9:

What is the Brønsted-Lowry definition of an acid and base?

A. Acids are electron donors and bases are electron acceptors.

B. Acids are proton donors and bases are proton acceptors.

C. Acids are proton acceptors and bases are proton donors.

D. Acids are compounds that increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in solution and bases are compounds that increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.

The Correct Answer is B.

A) Acids are electron donors and bases are electron acceptors: This statement describes the Lewis definition of acids and bases, which focuses on the transfer of electron pairs, rather than the Brønsted-Lowry definition, which involves the transfer of protons.

B) Acids are proton donors and bases are proton acceptors. (Correct Answer): According to the Brønsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that donates a proton (H+ ion), while a base is a substance that accepts a proton.

C) Acids are proton acceptors and bases are proton donors: This statement incorrectly describes the roles of acids and bases according to the Brønsted-Lowry definition. Acids donate protons, while bases accept protons.

D) Acids are compounds that increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in solution and bases are compounds that increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution: This statement does not accurately represent the Brønsted-Lowry definition. Acids and bases are defined based on their behavior regarding proton transfer, not changes in ion concentration.


Question 10:

What is produced when an acid reacts with a metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate?

A. Salt and water

B. Carbon dioxide and water

C. Oxygen gas and water

D. Salt and hydrogen gas

The Correct Answer is B.

A) Salt and water: This reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a metal hydroxide or a metal oxide, not with a metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate.

B) Carbon dioxide and water (Correct Answer): When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate, carbon dioxide gas is produced along with water and a salt. The carbonates decompose into carbon dioxide gas, water, and a salt when reacting with acids.

C) Oxygen gas and water: This reaction is not typical when an acid reacts with a metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate. Metal carbonates and metal hydrogen carbonates generally do not produce oxygen gas when reacting with acids.

D) Salt and hydrogen gas: This reaction occurs when an acid reacts with a metal, not with a metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate. When metals react with acids, hydrogen gas is typically produced along with a salt.