Question

A salt of strong acid and strong base does not undergo hydrolysis. Explain.

Answer 1

1. A strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (NaOH) combine to form sodium chloride.
2. In water, it reacts forming HCl and NaOH.
   Due to their strength, they almost entirely separate to release H⁺ and OH⁻ ions, respectively.
3. H⁺ and OH⁻ ions combine together to form weakly dissociating H²O. As there are no free H⁺ ions and OH⁻ ions, the solution is neutral and the salt does not undergo hydrolysis.
   NaCl + H₂O ⇌ NaOH + HCl
   Ionic equation:
   Na⁺ +Cl⁻ + H2O ⇌ Na⁺ + OH⁻ + H⁺ + Cl⁻
   H2O ⇌ H⁺ + OH⁻
   Since the solution contains equal number of H⁺ and OH⁻ ions, it is neutral.
   Hence the salt of strong acid and strong base does not undergo hydrolysis