The addition of ammonium chloride to acetic acid solution will cause — Ionic Equilibrium Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Ammonium chloride ($\text{NH}_4\text{Cl}$) is a salt of a strong acid and a weak base; it undergoes cationic hydrolysis in water to produce an acidic solution ($\text{NH}_4^+ \rightleftharpoons \text{NH}_3 + \text{H}^+$). When added to an acetic acid solution, the additional $\text{H}^+$ ions increase the total hydronium concentration and suppress the dissociation of acetic acid (common ion effect). The net increase in $[\text{H}^+]$ causes a decrease in the pH value.