Question in Description

Question

Determine if the following salt is neutral, acidic or basic. If acidic or basic, write the appropriate equilibrium equation for the acid or base that exists when the salt is dissolved in aqueous solution. If neutral, simply write only NR. HONH₃NO₃

Answer 1

This salt is derived from the reaction between hydroxylamine and nitric acid.

HN₂OH + HNO₃ ==> OHNH₃⁺NO₃^-

Since HN₂OH is a weak base, and HNO₃ is a strong acid, a solution of the salt will be ACIDIC.

The equilibrium would be:

OHNH₃⁺ + H₂O <==> H₃O⁺ + OHNH₂

The equilibrium equation would be:

Keq = [H₃O⁺][OHNH₂] / [OHNH₃⁺]