Determine whether each cation is acidic or pH neutral. For those cations that are acidic, write an equation that shows how the cation acts as an acid.
A) Sr+2
B) Mn+3
C) C5H5NH+
D) Li+
To determine whether a cation is acidic or pH neutral, you need to consider its behavior in water and the relationship between acids and bases.
A) Sr+2: In water, the Sr+2 cation does not have any acidic properties because it doesn't exhibit any tendency to donate protons (H+ ions) and increase the concentration of H+ ions in the solution. Therefore, it is pH neutral.
B) Mn+3: The Mn+3 cation can act as an acid because it has the ability to donate a proton (H+ ion) in water. The equation representing the acid behavior would be:
Mn+3 + H2O → Mn+2 + H3O+
C) C5H5NH+: The C5H5NH+ cation is derived from a base called pyridine. In water, it can accept a proton (H+ ion) and act as a base, not as an acid. Therefore, it is pH neutral.
D) Li+: The Li+ cation does not have any acidic properties because it doesn't have any available protons (H+ ions) to donate. Therefore, it is pH neutral.
A) Sr+2 is a pH neutral cation. It does not act as an acid.
B) Mn+3 is an acidic cation. It can act as an acid by releasing a proton (H+) in solution. The equation that represents the reaction is:
Mn+3 + H2O → Mn+2 + H3O+
C) C5H5NH+ is an acidic cation. It can act as an acid by donating a proton (H+) to a base. The equation that represents the reaction is:
C5H5NH+ + H2O → C5H5NH + H3O+
D) Li+ is a pH neutral cation. It does not act as an acid.
A: Neutral
B: Acidic
C: Acidic
D: Neutral