Question

True or False

Consider the salt ammonium bicarbonate, NH₄HCO₃. The Ka of NH₄⁺is 5.6x10^-10and the Kb of HCO₃^-is 2.3x10^-8. A solution of this salt is acidic .

TRUE

OR

FALSE

Answer 1

False

Explanation

Ammonium bicarbonate(NH4HCO3) is the salt made by the reaction between weak base NH3 and weak acid H2CO3.

NH3(aq) + H2CO3(aq) -------> NH4HCO3

The strength of NH3( Kb = 1.8×10^-5) is higher than the strength of first dissociation of H2CO3 (Ka1 = 3.16×10^-7). So, strength of NH4+ (conjucate acid of NH3, Ka = 5.6×10^-10) is lower than the strength of HCO3^-( conjucate base of H2CO3 , Kb = 2.3×10^-8)

So, base domination in solution and the solution will be basic.

Therefore,

The statement is False