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Question
Explain why an aqueous solution of sodium chloride is neutral but an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is basic (or alkaline). Write chemical equations of the reactions involved.
Solution
NaCl(s) + H2O(l) → NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq)
An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (washing soda) is alkaline because it is a salt prepared from the reaction of a weak acid, carbonic acid (H2CO3), and a strong base, sodium hydroxide (NaOH). When sodium carbonate is dissolved in water, it gets hydrolysed to some extent and forms sodium hydroxide and carbonic acid.
Na2CO3(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2CO3(aq)
Sodium hydroxide, being a strong base, is fully ionised to give a large amount of hydroxide ions (OH-), and carbonic acid, being a weak acid, is slightly ionised to form a small amount of hydrogen (H+) ions. Therefore, an aqueous solution contains more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions, and this makes the solution basic.
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