Chapter 22.1, Problem 1R

To determine

To Explain: The formation of an acidic solution when $\text{HCl}$ is mixed in water and the formation of a basic solution when $\text{NaOH}$ is mixed in water.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:Acids are substance that have a tendency to produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

Bases are substance thathave a tendency produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in water.

  $\text{HCl}$ dissolves in water to give ${\text{H}}^{+}$ and ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ ions. The ${\text{H}}^{+}$ ions gets attracted to the negative ends of the water molecules to form hydronium ( ${\text{H}}_3{\text{O}}^{+}$ ) ions.

The presence of more ${\text{H}}_3{\text{O}}^{+}$ ions than hydroxide ions makes the solution acidic.

In case of $\text{NaOH}$ , when dissolved in water it produces ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ ions and ${\text{OH}}^{-}$ ions. The ${\text{OH}}^{-}$ ions gets attracted to the positive ends of the water molecules due to which the dissociation occurs.

The presence of more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions makes the solution basic.

Unlike $\text{HCl}$ ionization, water molecules do not combine with the ions formed from $\text{NaOH}$ .

Conclusion: $\text{HCl}$ dissociates in water to give ${\text{H}}_3{\text{O}}^{+}$ ions which makes the solution acidic, whereas, $\text{NaOH}$ dissociates in water to give ${\text{OH}}^{-}$ ions which makes the solution basic.