Question

Is ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$an acid or a base?

Answer 1

Acid and base:

• According to Bronsted Lowry's definition of an acid, the substance which has a tendency to donate a proton donor is called as an acid.
• However, the substance which has a tendency to accept a proton donor is called a base.
• Hence, the tendency of any substance to either donate or accept proton defines if it is an acid or base.

${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$is an acid or a base:

• In the case of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ ions, we see that being a positively charged particle, the sodium ion would tend to make the solution more alkaline.
• But the given ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ ion does not have a tendency to either accept or donate proton in the solution, of its own.
• Hence, The large Sodium-ion, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$, is represented as neither an acid nor a base.

Therefore, it has been concluded that ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$is neither an acid nor a base.