Question

Which has highest $pH$?

• A. $C{H}_{3}COOK$
• B. $N{a}_{2}C{O}_3$
• C. $N{H}_{4}Cl$
• D. $NaN{O}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $N{a}_{2}C{O}_3$

The acids have a pH lower than 7, the bases have a pH higher than 7 and neutral compounds have a pH 7.

$NaN{O}_3$ is salt formed by the combination of a strong acid $HN{O}_3$ and a strong base $NaOH$ and hence it is neutral with a pH 7.

$C{H}_{3}COOK$ is a salt formed by the combination of weak acid $C{H}_{3}COOH$ and strong base $KOH$ and hence on hydrolysis it's pH will be above 7 since it will be slightly basic.

$N{H}_{4}Cl$ is a salt formed by the formation of strong acid $HCl$ and a weak base $N{H}_{4}OH$ and hence on hydrolysis it's pH will be lesser than 7 since it is slightly acidic nature.

$N{a}_{2}C{O}_3$ is a base and hence it's pH will be much greater than 7 and it will have the highest pH among the following compounds.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).