Question

The aqueous solution of sodium acetate is basic. Explain.

Answer 1

In aqueous solution sodium acetate (${CH}_{3}COONa$) dissociates as under and forms weak acid (${CH}_{3}COOH$) and strong base ($NaOH$)
${CH}_{3}COONa⟶{CH}_{3}CO{O}^{-}+{Na}^{+}$
$H_{2}O⟶H^{+}+{OH}^{-}$
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${CH}_{3}COONa+H_{2}O⟶\underset{Weakacid}{{CH}_{3}COOH}+\underset{Strongbase}{NaOH}$
Since $NaOH$ is strong base, it remains completely dissociated to produce large numbers of ${OH}^{-}$ ions as compared to $H^{+}$ ion coming from weak acid ${CH}_{3}COOH$. Thus, due to large numbers of $O^{-}$ ions, the solution becomes basic.