Is K2HPO4 an acid or a base?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether K2HPO4 (dipotassium hydrogen phosphate) behaves as an acid or a base in aqueous solution. This will involve considering its dissociation in water and the resulting ions.
Answer
weak base
K2HPO4 is a weak base.
Answer for screen readers
K2HPO4 is a weak base.
More Information
K2HPO4, also known as dipotassium phosphate, is derived from the reaction of a weak acid (H3PO4) and a strong base (KOH). It can act as a weak base in solution because it forms a slightly alkaline solution.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that K2HPO4 is neutral because it is a salt. However, it's derived from a strong base and a weak acid, making it behave as a weak base.
Sources
- Is K2HPO4 an acid or a base? - Quora - quora.com
- Is K2HPO4 an acid or base? - Answers.com - answers.com
- Predict whether a solution containing the salt K2HPO4 will be acidic ... - Study.com - homework.study.com