Determine whether each of the following salts will form a solution that is acidic, basic, or pH-neutral. a. KCl
b. NaClO

a. Neutral

b. Basic

Explanation:

To determine which of the salts are acidic, neutral or basci we should dissociate them and determine if the ions, can make hydrolysis to water.

KCl → K⁺  +  Cl⁻

We need to know, where do the ions come from. In this case, K⁺ comes from the KOH which is a strong base and Cl⁻ comes from the HCl, a strong acid. In conclussion, both are the conjugate weak acid and base, respectively. They do not make hydrolysis, so this salt is neutral. No protons or hydroxides are given.

NaClO → Na⁺  + ClO⁻

The Na⁺ comes from the NaOH, it is the conjugate weak acid from a strong base, while the ClO⁻ comes from the HClO, a weak acid. This means that the ClO⁻ can react to water, to make hydrolysis. The equilibrium will be:

ClO⁻  +  H₂O  ⇄  HClO  +  OH⁻

We are giving hydroxides to medium, so the salt is basic.