Which of the following will happen when an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is tested with a litmus solution?

The correct answer is It will turn blue litmus red..

Key Points

• Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is a salt that, when dissolved in water, undergoes hydrolysis to form a weak base (NH₄OH) and a strong acid (HCl).
• The solution of ammonium chloride is acidic in nature due to the presence of the strong acid (HCl).
• When an acidic solution is tested with blue litmus paper, it turns red, indicating the presence of an acid.
• This behavior confirms that the solution of ammonium chloride is acidic and will turn blue litmus paper red.

Additional Information

• Hydrolysis of Salts
  • Hydrolysis refers to the reaction of a salt with water to form an acid and a base.
  • Salts derived from strong acids and weak bases produce acidic solutions.
  • Salts derived from strong bases and weak acids produce basic solutions.
• Litmus Test
  • Litmus paper is a pH indicator used to test whether a solution is acidic or basic.
  • Blue litmus paper turns red under acidic conditions (pH < 7).
  • Red litmus paper turns blue under basic conditions (pH > 7).
• Ammonium Chloride
  • Ammonium chloride is a white crystalline salt with the formula NH₄Cl.
  • It is commonly used in fertilizers and as a flavoring agent in some types of licorice.
  • In a laboratory, it is used as a buffer solution and in the preparation of cooling baths.
• pH Scale
  • The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and measures the acidity or basicity of a solution.
  • A pH of 7 is considered neutral.
  • pH values less than 7 indicate acidic conditions, while values greater than 7 indicate basic conditions.