Is CH3COONa an acid or a base?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether sodium acetate (CH3COONa) is classified as an acid or a base, which relates to its behavior in aqueous solution and its chemical properties.
Answer
A salt that forms a basic solution in water.
Sodium acetate (CH3COONa) is a salt. When dissolved in water, it hydrolyzes to form a basic solution.
Answer for screen readers
Sodium acetate (CH3COONa) is a salt. When dissolved in water, it hydrolyzes to form a basic solution.
More Information
Sodium acetate is formed from the reaction of a weak acid, acetic acid (CH3COOH), and a strong base, sodium hydroxide (NaOH). In water, it hydrolyzes to produce acetate ions (CH3COO-) which interact with water to form hydroxide ions (OH-), leading to a basic solution.
Tips
A common mistake is to categorize sodium acetate as strictly an acid or base without considering its behavior in water.
Sources
- Is CH3COONa an Acid or a Base? - Echemi - echemi.com
- Is CH3COONa an acid or a base? - Quora - quora.com
