Label as acid, base or salt & explain why?

Question

Label each of the following as an acid, base or salt, explaining your answer:

1. Ca(NO3)2

2. H2SO4

3. KC2H3O2

4. H2CO3

5. NaOH

Answer 1

1. salt   the NO3^1 anion is the conjugate base of a strong acid and thus will not bind to protons so it will not cause a change in pH

2. Acid...the Hs  are attached to a strongly electronegative element so the O will pull the electrons away from the H  thus easily liberating H+

3. although this is technically a salt formed by reaction of an acid and a base, acetate is the conjugate base of a weak acid and thus is a moderately strong BASE , will strip some protons from water and produce OH^-1 , raising the pH

4. Acid...again the Hs are attached to a strogly electronegative element and thus the Hs will have a tendency to ionize as protons..H2CO3 is a weak acid

5.  NaOH is a strong base.It is the conjugate base of water which is a VERY weak acid and thus OH^-1 is quite strong a base.

Answer 2

If a substance produces H+ when dissolved in water, it's an acid.

If it produces OH- when dissolved, it's base. Otherwise, it's a salt.

1. Ca(NO3)2 - dissolves to give Ca2+ and NO3- = SALT

2. H2SO4 - dissolves to give H+ + HSO4- = ACID

3. KC2H3O2 - dissolves to give K+ and C2H3O2- = SALT

4. H2CO3 - dissolves to give H+ and HCO3- = ACID

5. NaOH - dissolves to give Na+ and OH- = BASE