Question

A water solution of sodium acetate is basic because...a. the conjugate base of the acetate ion is a strong base. b. sodium acetate is only weakly ionized. c. the acetate ion acts as a Bronsted-Lowry base in a reaction with water. d. A water solution of sodium acetate is acidic.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is c. the acetate ion acts as a Bronsted-Lowry base in a reaction with water.

Explanation:

Sodium acetate (NaCH₃COO) dissociates in water to give Na⁺ and CH₃COO⁻ ions as follows:

NaCH₃COO(s) → Na⁺(aq) + CH₃COO⁻(aq)

The acetate ion (CH₃COO⁻) is the conjugated base of acetic acid (CH₃COOH). Acetic acid is a weak acid, so the acetate ion will try to regenerate the weak acid. For this, it will acept a proton (acting as a Bronsted-Lowry base) from water to form acetic acid. As result, OH⁻ is released and the solution turns basic:

CH₃COO⁻(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇄ CH₃COOH(aq) + OH⁻(aq)