Why are some salts acidic when others are neutral?

Question

Need some help explaining this.

Answer 1

If the salt is the result or product of a strong acid and a strong base, then the salt will be neutral.

If the salt is the result or product of a strong acid and a weak base, then the salt will be acidic.

If the salt is the result or product of a strong base and a weak acid, then the salt will be basic.

Examples:

strong acid + strong base: HCl + NaOH ==> H₂O + NaCl (neutral salt)

strong acid + weak base: HCl + NH₃ ==> NH₄Cl (acidic salt)

strong base + weak acid: NaOH + CH₃COOH ==> H₂O + CH₃COONa (basic salt)