If an equal number of moles of the weak acid HOCN and the strong base KOH are added to water, the resulting solution will be acidic, basic or neutral?

There is a complicated answer and a sensible answer. Both arrive at the same answer. But here is the logic for the sensible--I will let you decide.

A STRONG base and a WEAK acid will give a salt that is ??????

A STRONG base and a STRONG acid will give a salt that is neutral.

A WEAK base and a WEAK acid will give a salt that is neutral (if the base and acid are equally weak).

A WEAK base and a STRONG acid will give a salt that is acid.

A STRONG base and a WEAK acid....

To determine whether the resulting solution will be acidic, basic, or neutral when equal numbers of moles of the weak acid HOCN and the strong base KOH are added to water, we can analyze the nature of the resulting salt formed.

HOCN is a weak acid, while KOH is a strong base. When a weak acid reacts with a strong base, the resulting salt will have basic properties.

This can be explained by understanding the concept of salt hydrolysis, where the ions from the salt interact with water molecules to form either acidic, basic, or neutral solutions.

In the case of HOCN and KOH, HOCN (the weak acid) will donate a proton (H+) to the water, forming H3O+ ions and the cyanate (OCN-) ion. On the other hand, KOH (the strong base) will dissociate completely in water, forming K+ ions and OH- ions.

Since cyanate (OCN-) is the conjugate base of a weak acid, it will hydrolyze with water, resulting in the production of OH- ions. The OH- ions from the hydrolysis of the cyanate ion will combine with the excess H3O+ ions formed from the weak acid HOCN, leading to an excess of OH- ions in the solution. Therefore, the resulting solution will be basic.

In summary, when an equal number of moles of the weak acid HOCN and the strong base KOH are added to water, the resulting solution will be basic due to the hydrolysis of the cyanate ion formed from the weak acid.