Question

Ammonium chloride is basic in nature.
[A] True
[B] False

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, firstly find out the acid and the base ammonium chloride is formed with. A strong acid with a weak base gives an acidic salt. A weak acid with a strong base gives a basic salt.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that ammonium chloride is an inorganic compound and its formula is $N{{H}_{4}}Cl$ . We can produce ammonium chloride from ammonia and hydrochloric acid. We can write the reaction as-
     \[N{{H}_{3}}(g)+HCl(g)\to N{{H}_{4}}Cl(g)\]

Ammonium chloride is a white crystalline salt and is highly soluble in water.
As we can see from the above reaction that ammonium chloride is formed by a strong acid (hydrochloric acid) and a weak base (ammonia). We know that when a salt is formed from a strong acid and a weak base, the resultant salt is acidic in nature.
Also, we know that the strength of acids or bases determines the strength of their respective conjugate bases and conjugate acids. We can say that ammonium chloride consists of ammonium ion which is a strong conjugate acid of a weak base, ammonia and chloride ion which is the weak conjugate base of a strong acid.
The pH of ammonium chloride is around 4-6 which is on the acidic side.
We can understand from the above reaction that ammonium chloride is slightly acidic.
So the given statement that ‘ammonium chloride is basic in nature is incorrect.’
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: When we mix ammonia and ammonium chloride with water, a basic buffer is formed. Basic buffer is prepared by mixing a weak base with its conjugate salt along with a strong acid. Ammonia is a weak base and ammonium chloride is its conjugate salt with a strong acid, HCl.
Ammonium chloride is also used as a fertilizer and also as a flavouring agent.