Question

What is the aqueous solution of ammonium chloride?
${\text{A}}{\text{.}}$ Basic
${\text{B}}{\text{.}}$ Acidic
${\text{C}}{\text{.}}$ Neutral
${\text{D}}{\text{.}}$ Aqueous

Answer 1

Hint: Here, we will proceed by writing down the chemical reaction corresponding to the hydrolysis of ammonium chloride and then, we will further convert this reaction in terms of the ions which will be formed. Complete step-by-step answer:

Aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (${\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{Cl}}$) (i.e., when ammonium chloride is mixed with water) gives ammonium hydroxide (${\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{OH}}$) which is a weak base and hydrochloric acid (HCl) which is strong acid. This means that ammonium chloride is a salt of hydrochloric acid i.e., strong acid and ammonium hydroxide i.e., weak base
${\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{Cl}} + {{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}} \to {\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{OH + HCl }} \to {\text{(1)}}$
As, we know that any strong acid will get ionised in aqueous solution because according to the definition of strong acid, the acids which can give ${{\text{H}}^ + }$ ions are terms as strong acids
Since, hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid and will get ionized into ${{\text{H}}^ + }$ and ${\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }$ ion
Also, salts also get ionized when placed in aqueous solution. This means that ammonium chloride (${\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{Cl}}$) which is a salt will get ionized into ${\text{NH}}_4^ +$ ion and ${\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }$ ion
i.e., ${\text{HCl}} \to {{\text{H}}^ + } + {\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }{\text{ }} \to {\text{(2)}}$
${\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{Cl}} \to {\text{NH}}_4^ + {\text{ + C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }{\text{ }} \to {\text{(3)}}$
By using the equations (2) and (3) in equation (1), we get
${\text{NH}}_4^ + + {\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - } + {{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}} \to {\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{OH}} + {{\text{H}}^ + } + {\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }$
By cancelling ${\text{C}}{{\text{l}}^ - }$ ion from the LHS and RHS of the above equation, we get
${\text{NH}}_4^ + + {{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}} \to {\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_4}{\text{OH}} + {{\text{H}}^ + }$
Clearly, from the above chemical reaction we can say that the aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is resulting in the retention of the ${{\text{H}}^ + }$ ions in the solution. This suggests that the resultant aqueous solution of ammonium chloride can give ${{\text{H}}^ + }$ ions.
Therefore, the aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is acidic in nature.
Hence, option B is correct.

Note- Ammonium chloride is an inorganic salt which is highly soluble when dissolved in water. This salt is basically a white crystalline salt. This salt has many important applications like in the medical field, food, batteries, etc. This salt of ammonium chloride is also used as a flavouring agent and as a fertilizer.