Question

Consider the following salt:

NH₄X

If in salt NH₄X, X is nitrate, then its solution will give what colour with a universal indicator? Why?

Answer 1

If X is a nitrate in salt NH₄X, its solution will be green with a universal indicator. This is because ammonium ion \[\ce{(NH^+4)}\] is a weak acid that can partially dissociate in the solution to form hydrogen ions (H⁺), making the solution acidic. The ion nitrate \[\ce{(NO^-3)}\] is a neutral ion that has no effect on pH. The solution's green colour indicates a pH between 7 and 6.