PRACTICAL PROJECT – CHEMISTRY
Preparation and Study of Neutral Salts
(Strong Acid + Strong Base and Strong Acid + Weak Base)
AIM
To prepare and study neutral salts formed by the reaction of:
1. A strong acid with a strong base
2. A strong acid with a weak base
INTRODUCTION
A salt is an ionic compound formed when an acid reacts with a base in a neutralization
reaction. Depending upon the nature of the reacting acid and base, the salt formed may be
acidic, basic, or neutral. Neutral salts produce aqueous solutions with pH close to 7 and do
not change the colour of red or blue litmus paper. The study of neutral salts is important in
understanding acid–base behaviour, salt hydrolysis, and pH control in chemical processes.
DEFINITION OF NEUTRAL SALT
A neutral salt is a salt whose aqueous solution is neither acidic nor basic and has a pH value
approximately equal to 7. Such salts are generally formed by the reaction of a strong acid
and a strong base.
NEUTRALIZATION REACTION
Neutralization is a chemical reaction in which an acid reacts with a base to form salt and
water.
General reaction: Acid + Base → Salt + Water
THEORY – STRONG ACID + STRONG BASE
When a strong acid reacts with a strong base, both ionize completely in aqueous solution.
The salt formed does not undergo hydrolysis. Hence, the solution remains neutral.
Example:
Hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium chloride.
Reaction:
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O
Net Ionic Equation:
H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O
Nature of Salt: Neutral
pH of Solution: Approximately 7
THEORY – STRONG ACID + WEAK BASE
When a strong acid reacts with a weak base, the salt formed undergoes slight hydrolysis due
to the weak base. However, in dilute solutions, the salt shows nearly neutral behaviour and
is studied under neutral salt preparation in practical chemistry.
Example:
Hydrochloric acid reacts with ammonium hydroxide to form ammonium chloride.
Reaction:
HCl + NH₄OH → NH₄Cl + H₂O
Nature of Salt: Slightly acidic but close to neutral
pH of Solution: Around 6–7
FACTORS AFFECTING NATURE OF SALT
● Strength of acid
● Strength of base
● Degree of hydrolysis
● Concentration of solution
● Temperature
CHEMICAL EQUATIONS AND IONIC FORMS
Strong Acid + Strong Base
● Molecular equation:
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O
● Ionic equation:
H⁺ + OH⁻ → H₂O
Strong Acid + Weak Base
● Molecular equation:
HCl + NH₄OH → NH₄Cl + H₂O
● Ionic equation:
H⁺ + NH₃ → NH₄⁺
MATERIALS REQUIRED
● Dilute hydrochloric acid
● Sodium hydroxide solution
● Ammonium hydroxide solution
● Universal indicator or pH paper
APPARATUS REQUIRED
● Beaker
● Glass rod
● Dropper
● Test tubes
SAFETY MEASURES
● Handle acids and bases carefully
● Avoid direct contact with chemicals
● Wash hands after the experiment
PROCEDURE
1. Take dilute hydrochloric acid in a clean beaker.
2. Add sodium hydroxide solution slowly with constant stirring to prepare salt from
strong acid and strong base.
3. Repeat the experiment using ammonium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide for
strong acid and weak base reaction.
4. Continue addition until neutralization point is reached.
5. Test the solution using pH paper or universal indicator.
6. Allow the solution to stand and observe salt formation.
OBSERVATIONS
● pH paper turns green
● Red litmus shows no change
● Blue litmus shows no change
● Universal indicator shows green shade
INFERENCE
The salt solution formed is neutral or nearly neutral in nature.
RESULT
Neutral salts were successfully prepared by reacting:
● A strong acid with a strong base
● A strong acid with a weak base
The salts formed showed neutral or near-neutral behaviour.
PRECAUTIONS
● Add base slowly to avoid excess neutralization
● Use clean and dry apparatus
● Do not touch chemicals directly
SOURCES OF ERROR
● Excess addition of base
● Improper pH detection
● Contaminated apparatus
CONCLUSION
The nature of a salt depends on the strength of the reacting acid and base. Neutral salts are
formed when strong acids react with strong bases, while strong acid and weak base
reactions produce salts that show near-neutral behaviour.
APPLICATIONS
● Used in laboratories
● Used in chemical industries
● Used in buffer preparation