Question

An aqueous solution of what will produce a neutral solution? NH4I, RbF, RbNO2,NaBr, Na2CO3

Answer 1

An aqueous solution of the salt of strong acid and strong base produce a neutral solution.

Salt	acid	base	pH
NH4I	HI (strong)	NH3(weak)	acidic
RbF	HF (weak)	RbOH (strong)	basic
RbNO2	HNO2(weak)	RbOH (strong)	basic
NaBr	HBr (strong)	NaOH(Strong)	neutral
Na2CO3	H2CO3 (weak)	(NaOH(strong)	basic

hence, an aqueous solution of NaBr forms a neutral solution.

Answer 2

A solution is considered neutral when it has a pH of 7. In an aqueous solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) determines the pH. If the concentration of H⁺ ions is equal to the concentration of OH⁻ ions, the solution is neutral.

Let's analyze each compound and determine if it will produce a neutral solution:

1. NH4I (Ammonium iodide): When NH4I dissolves in water, it will produce ammonium ions (NH4⁺) and iodide ions (I⁻). The ammonium ion is acidic, while the iodide ion is neutral. Therefore, NH4I will produce an acidic solution.

2. RbF (Rubidium fluoride): When RbF dissolves in water, it will produce rubidium ions (Rb⁺) and fluoride ions (F⁻). Neither rubidium nor fluoride ions significantly affect the pH of the solution. Therefore, RbF will produce a nearly neutral solution.

3. RbNO2 (Rubidium nitrite): When RbNO2 dissolves in water, it will produce rubidium ions (Rb⁺) and nitrite ions (NO2⁻). Nitrite ions can hydrolyze in water and act as a weak base, slightly increasing the OH⁻ concentration. Therefore, RbNO2 will produce a slightly basic solution.

4. NaBr (Sodium bromide): When NaBr dissolves in water, it will produce sodium ions (Na⁺) and bromide ions (Br⁻). Neither sodium nor bromide ions significantly affect the pH of the solution. Therefore, NaBr will produce a nearly neutral solution.

5. Na2CO3 (Sodium carbonate): When Na2CO3 dissolves in water, it will produce sodium ions (Na⁺) and carbonate ions (CO3²⁻). Carbonate ions can hydrolyze in water and act as a weak base, increasing the OH⁻ concentration. Therefore, Na2CO3 will produce a basic solution.

In summary, NH4I will produce an acidic solution, RbF and NaBr will produce nearly neutral solutions, and RbNO2 and Na2CO3 will produce slightly basic and basic solutions, respectively. The compound that will produce a neutral solution is RbF.