Iron (III) chloride is acidic while sodium carbonate is basic. Explain.

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Solution

In the hydrolysis of FeCl3, FeCl3 breaks into Ferric Hydroxide and Hydrochloric acid.

$F e C l_{3}$ $\to$ $F e (O H)_{3}$ + $H C l$

ferric chloride is mildly basic whereas hydrochloric acid is strongly acidic. HCl fully ionises in water but Ferric chloride does not fully ionise in water that is why it is slightly acidic.
Sodium carbonate hydrolyses in water to form Sodium hydroxide and carbonic acid.

$N a_{2} C O_{3}$ $\to$ $N a O H$ + $H_{2} C O_{3}$

Sodium hydroxide is strongly basic and fully ionises in water but carbonic acid is mildly acidic and partially ionises in water that is why it is a basic substance.

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