Which of the following salts will give highest pH in water?
- KCl
- NaCl
- Na2CO3
- CuSO4
Answer
(3) Na2CO3
Solution
KCl, NaCl: salts of strong acid + strong base ⇒ no hydrolysis, pH = 7.
CuSO4: salt of strong acid + weak base ⇒ cationic hydrolysis, acidic, pH < 7.
Na2CO3: salt of weak acid + strong base ⇒ anionic hydrolysis:
CO32- + H2O HCO3- + OH- ⇒ basic, pH > 7.
∴ Na2CO3 gives the highest pH.
Answer: (3)