Which of the following chemical equations shows how NaC2H3O2 produces a basic (alkaline) solution?

Question

A 0.10 M NaC₂H₃O₂ (sodium acetate) solution in water has a pH of 8.4. Sodium acetate dissolved in water produces sodium ions and acetate ions. The acetate ion, C₂H₃O₂^-, is the conjugate base of acetic acid, HC₂H₃O_2.  Which of the following chemical equations shows how NaC₂H₃O₂ produces a basic (alkaline) solution?

a). NaC2H3O2 → Na^+ + C2H3O2^-

b). Na^+ + C2H3O2^- + H2O ⇌ HC2H3O2 + Na^+ + OH^-

c). HC2H3O2 + H2O ⇌ C2H3O2^- + H3O^+

d). NaC2H3O2 → 2C + H2O + Na^+ + OH^-

Answer 1

b). Na^+ + C2H3O2^- + H2O ⇌ HC2H3O2 + Na^+ + OH^-

This is the equation for the hydrolysis of the salt (sodium acetate). This salt was formed from the reaction of a strong base (NaOH) and a weak acid (C2H4O2), so the pH would be alkaline (>7).