Question

How does salt affect pH?

Answer 1

Does the anion or cation undergo hydrolysis?

Explanation:

Salts of weak acids, such as fluorides will give rise to a slightly basic solution:

`NaF(aq) + H_2O rightleftharpoons Na^(+) + HF(aq) + HO^-`

For another example, look at the acid-base behaviour of ammonium salts:

`NH_4^(+) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoonsNH_3(aq) + H_3O^+`

In each case, the equilibrium lies to the left as we face the equation, but the equilibrium still operates, and is certainly quantifiable.