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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.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: What ions make ethanoic acid acidic?

    A. H+ ions

    B. OH- ions

    C. Na+ ions

    D. Cl- ions

    Answer Explanation

    A) H+ ions (Correct Answer): Ethanoic acid (acetic acid) is acidic because it donates protons (H+) in solution, leading to the formation of hydronium ions (H3O+). This process characterizes acids.

     

    B) OH- ions: Hydroxide ions (OH-) typically characterize bases, not acids. Ethanoic acid doesn't contain hydroxide ions.

     

    C) Na+ ions: Sodium ions (Na+) are not responsible for the acidity of ethanoic acid. Na+ ions are typically found in salts and do not contribute to acidity.

     

    D) Cl- ions: Chloride ions (Cl-) are not responsible for the acidity of ethanoic acid. Cl- ions are typically found in salts and do not contribute to acidity.

  • Q #2: What is the Brønsted-Lowry definition of an acid and base?

    A. Acids are electron donors and bases are electron acceptors.

    B. Acids are proton donors and bases are proton acceptors.

    C. Acids are proton acceptors and bases are proton donors.

    D. Acids are compounds that increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in solution and bases are compounds that increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.

    Answer Explanation

    A) Acids are electron donors and bases are electron acceptors: This statement describes the Lewis definition of acids and bases, which focuses on the transfer of electron pairs, rather than the Brønsted-Lowry definition, which involves the transfer of protons.

    B) Acids are proton donors and bases are proton acceptors. (Correct Answer): According to the Brønsted-Lowry definition, an acid is a substance that donates a proton (H+ ion), while a base is a substance that accepts a proton.

    C) Acids are proton acceptors and bases are proton donors: This statement incorrectly describes the roles of acids and bases according to the Brønsted-Lowry definition. Acids donate protons, while bases accept protons.

    D) Acids are compounds that increase the concentration of hydroxide ions in solution and bases are compounds that increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution: This statement does not accurately represent the Brønsted-Lowry definition. Acids and bases are defined based on their behavior regarding proton transfer, not changes in ion concentration.

  • Q #3: :pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. The pH scale ranges from:

    A. 0–7

    B. 7–14

    C. 0–14

    D. 1–10

    Answer Explanation

    A. 0–7: This range corresponds to acidic solutions on the pH scale. A pH value below 7 indicates acidity.

    B. 7–14: This range corresponds to basic solutions on the pH scale. A pH value above 7 indicates alkalinity.

    C. 0–14 (Correct Answer): The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, covering the entire spectrum of acidity and alkalinity. A pH value of 7 is considered neutral, while values below 7 indicate acidity and values above 7 indicate alkalinity.

    D. 1–10: This range does not encompass the full range of the pH scale. The pH scale extends beyond 10 for alkaline solutions and below 1 for highly acidic solutions. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.