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

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.

Q #1: 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

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.
Q #2: What ions make ammonia solution alkaline?

A. Cl- ions

B. H+ ions

C. Na+ ions

D. OH- ions

Answer Explanation

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.
Q #3: Why is dry hydrogen chloride gas not acidic?

A. Because it does not react with water

B. Because it does not contain hydrogen ions (H+)

C. Because it contains hydrogen ions but not chloride ions (Cl-)

D. Because hydrogen is bonded to chlorine in dry HCl and not dissociated

Answer Explanation

A) Because it does not react with water: While dry hydrogen chloride gas does not react with water, the absence of this reaction does not inherently determine its acidity. Acidity is determined by the presence of hydrogen ions in solution.

B) Because it does not contain hydrogen ions (H+): Dry hydrogen chloride gas does not contain free hydrogen ions, which are characteristic of acidic solutions. However, the absence of hydrogen ions alone does not explain why dry hydrogen chloride gas is not acidic.

C) Because it contains hydrogen ions but not chloride ions (Cl-): Dry hydrogen chloride gas does not contain free chloride ions, but the presence of hydrogen ions is crucial for acidity. However, the absence of chloride ions alone does not fully explain why dry hydrogen chloride gas is not acidic.

D) Because hydrogen is bonded to chlorine in dry HCl and not dissociated (Correct Answer): Dry hydrogen chloride gas does not dissociate into hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl-) because there is no water present to facilitate dissociation. Therefore, it does not exhibit acidic properties in the absence of dissociation.

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Why is NaCl neutral?

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

Q #1: Why is NaCl neutral?

Answer Explanation

Q #2: What ions make ammonia solution alkaline?

Answer Explanation

Q #3: Why is dry hydrogen chloride gas not acidic?

Answer Explanation

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