Which has highest pH?
- CH3COOK
- Na2CO3
- NH4Cl
- NaNO3
Answer
(2) Na2CO3
Solution
NH4Cl, a salt of weak base and strong acid, gives an acidic solution (pH < 7), while NaNO3, a salt of strong acid and strong base, is neutral (pH = 7).
CH3COOK and Na2CO3 are salts of weak acids and strong bases, so both are basic (pH > 7).
∵ H2CO3 (via HCO3-) is a much weaker acid than CH3COOH, CO32- is a much stronger base than CH3COO- and hydrolyses to a greater extent:
CO32- + H2O HCO3- + OH-
∴ Na2CO3 solution has the highest pH.
Answer: (2)