Hydrolysis of Salt:
Using the universal indicator we had to determine the pH of sodium acetate, and the results i got was pH- 8.5 .
Now i have to explain this with a equation to show hydrolysis.
I don't know how to write it out but, Sodium is not hydrolyzed and acetate is producing acetic acid and hydroxide ion.
It is a basic solution
HAc = acetic acid and Ac^- is acetate.
Ac^- + HOH ==> HAc + OH^-
Your word equation is just right. All you needed to do was to put it into symbols. Knowing pH = 8.5, one can determine Ka
(Kw/Ka) = (HAc)(OH^-)/(Ac^-)
You know pH which give both OH and HAc, yho know Kw and you know (Ac^-).