Question

The aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is:

• A. basic
• B. acidic
• C. neutral
• D. aqueous

Answer 1

The correct option is B acidic

The aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is acidic.
Ammonium chloride ($N{H}_{4}Cl$) is a salt of a strong acid ($HCl$) and a weak base ($N{H}_{4}OH$). Hence, in an aqueous solution, it shows acidic properties.
When mixed with water, it gets hydrolysed as follows.
$N{H}_{4}Cl+H_{2}O\to N{H}_{4}OH+HCl$
The salt and the strong acid (HCl) get ionised while the weak base ($N{H}_{4}OH$) remains unionised.
$N{H}_4^{+}+C{l}^{-}+H_{2}O\to N{H}_{4}OH+H^{+}+C{l}^{-}$
Cancelling the $C{l}^{-}$ ions from both sides.

$N{H}_4^{+}+H_{2}O\to N{H}_{4}OH+H^{+}$
The $H^{+}$ ions left in the solution gives the solution its acidic properties.