Which has highest pH?
- CH3COOK
- Na2CO3
- NH4Cl
- NaNO3
Answer
(2) Na2CO3
Solution
⇒ NH4Cl (salt of weak base and strong acid) gives an acidic solution, pH < 7.
⇒ NaNO3 (salt of strong acid and strong base) is neutral, pH = 7.
⇒ CH3COOK and Na2CO3 (salts of weak acids and strong bases) 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)