Chapter 16, Problem 162AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The effect of the specified change on the extent of hydrolysis of sodium nitrite is to be described.

Concept introduction:

Strong electrolyte ionizes completely in the solution when added to water.

When an anion from a weak base is present in a solution, then it recombines with water to produce weak acid and hydroxide ions and forms a basic solution. This is known as ion hydrolysis.

The reaction of the ion that takes place is:

${\text{A}}^{-}\left(aq\right)+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\left(l\right)\rightleftharpoons \text{HA}\left(aq\right)+{\text{OH}}^{-}\left(aq\right)$

Here, ${\text{A}}^{-}$ is the ion thatforms the weak acid $\text{HA}$. The pH of this solution is determined by the ${\text{OH}}^{-}$.

According to Le Chatelier’s Principle, when a system at equilibrium is subjected to any change, then the system tries to undo the effect of that change by shifting its equilibrium in the desired direction.