Question

Is $N{H_4}Br$ an acid or base.

Answer 1

Hint : To determine a given substance is an acid or a base, first count the hydrogens on each substance before and after the reaction. If the number of hydrogens has decreased that substance is the acid (donates hydrogen ions). If the number of hydrogens has increased that substance is the base (accepts hydrogen ions).

Complete Step By Step Answer:
We know that an acid is a substance that accepts a pair of valence electrons or donates protons to form a bond. Whereas a base is a substance that can accept protons or donate a pair of valence electrons to form a bond.
Given $N{H_4}Br$ (Ammonium Bromide) is a strong electrolyte salt formed from a strong acid HBr and a weak acid NH3.
When it put(dissolve) in water we get the following reaction $N{H_4}Br(s) \to N{H_4}^ + \left( {aq} \right) + B{r^ - }\left( {aq} \right)$ .
Then $N{H_4}Br$ decomposes to ammonia and hydrogen bromide when heated at elevated temperatures. Its reaction can be written as follows
$N{H_4}Br \to N{H_3} + HBr$
Thus, the number of hydrogens in Ammon.

Note :
Note that for any compound, if its solution’s chemical formula begins with $H$ such as $HCl$ or ${H_2}S{O_4}$ , it is usually acidic. If the solution ends in $OH$ , such as $NaOH$ or $KOH$ , it is often basic. This is another easy way to find out whether a given compound is acid or base. Ammonium bromide is used for photography in films, plates and papers, in fireproofing of wood, etc.