The pH of solutions of both ammonium acetate and sodium chloride is 7 due to — Ionic Equilibrium Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a salt derived from a strong acid and strong base, thus it undergoes no hydrolysis and its solution is neutral (pH = 7). Ammonium acetate is a salt of a weak acid and a weak base; it undergoes both cationic and anionic hydrolysis. However, because $K_a \text{ (acetic acid)} = K_b \text{ (ammonia)}$, the resulting solution is perfectly neutral (pH = 7).