Salt
These notes are based on the chapter Acids Bases and Salts from NCERT book based on CBSE syllabus.
- Characteristics of salt
- Family of salt
- Acidic, basic and neutral salts
- pH value of salt
Salts are the ionic compounds which are produced after the neutralization reaction between acid and base. Salts are electrically neutral. There are number of salts but sodium chloride is the most common among them. Sodium chloride is also known as table salt or common salt. Sodium chloride is used to enhance the taste of food.
Characteristics of salt
- Most of the salts are crystalline solid
- Salts may be transparent or opaque
- Most of the salts are soluble in water
- Solution of salts conducts electricity. Salts conduct electricity in their molten state also
- The salt may be salty, sour, sweet, bitter and umami (savoury)
- Neutral salts are odourless
- Salts can be colourless or coloured. The colour of a salt depends on the metallic ion present in it.
Family of Salt
Salts having common acidic or basic radicals are said to belong to same family.
Examples: Sodium chloride (NaCl) and Calcium chloride (CaCl2) belong to chloride family. In this case, family name is based on acidic radical.
Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium sulphate (CaSO4) belong to calcium family. In this case, family name is based on basic radical.
Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) belong to zinc family. In this case, family name is based on basic radical.
Acidic, Basic and Neutral Salts
Neutral Salt
Salts produced because of reaction between strong acid and strong base are neutral in nature. The pH value of such salts is equal to 7, i.e. neutral. Example; Sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, potassium chloride, etc.
Sodium chloride (NaCl) is formed after the reaction between hydrochloric acid (a strong acid) and sodium hydroxide (a strong base).
NaOH + HCl ⇨ NaCl + H2O
Sodium sulphate (Na2SO4): It is formed after the reaction between sodium hydroxide (a strong base) and sulphuric acid (a strong acid).
2NaOH + H2SO4 ⇨ Na2SO4 + 2H2O
Potassium chloride (KCl): It is formed after the reaction between potassium hydroxide (a strong base) and hydrochloric acid (a strong acid).
KOH + HCl ⇨ KCl + H2O
Acidic salt
Salts which are formed after the reaction between a strong acid and weak base are called acidic salt. The pH value of acidic salt is lower than 7. Example: ammonium sulphate, ammonium chloride, etc.
Ammonium chloride is formed after reaction between hydrochloric acid (a strong acid) and ammonium hydroxide (a weak base).
NH4OH + HCl ⇨ NH4Cl + H2O
Ammonium sulphate is formed after reaction between ammonium hydroxide (weak base) and sulphuric acid (a strong acid).
2NH4OH + H2SO4 ⇨ (NH4 )2SO4 + 2H2O
Basic Salt
Salts which are formed after the reaction between weak acid and strong base are called basic salt. For example; sodium carbonate, sodium acetate, etc.
Sodium carbonate is formed after the reaction between sodium hydroxide (a strong base) and carbonic acid (a weak base).
H2CO3 + 2NaOH ⇨ Na2CO3 + 2H2O
Sodium acetate is formed after the reaction between a strong base, sodium hydroxide and a weak acid, acetic acid.
CH3COOH + NaOH ⇨ CH3COONa + H2O
Cause of formation of acidic, basic and neutral salt
- When a strong acid reacts with a weak base, the base is unable to fully neutralize the acid. Due to this an acidic salt is formed in this case.
- When a strong base reacts with a weak acid, the acid is unable to fully neutralize the base. Due to this a basic salt is formed in this case.
- When equally strong acid and base react they fully neutralize each other. Due to this a neutral salt is formed in this case.
pH value of salt:
- Neutral salt: The pH value of a neutral salt is almost equal to 7.
- Acidic salt: The pH value of an acidic salt is less than 7.
- Basic salt: The pH value of a basic salt is more than 7.
More from this Lesson