To determine which of the given salts produce acidic solutions when dissolved in water, we need to analyze each salt based on the ions they produce and their respective strengths as acids or bases. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:
### Step 1: Identify the salts and their ions
The salts provided are:
1. NH4₂SO4 (Ammonium sulfate)
2. NaHCO3 (Sodium bicarbonate)
3. CuSO4 (Copper(II) sulfate)
4. AgNO3 (Silver nitrate)
### Step 2: Analyze NH4₂SO4
When NH4₂SO4 is dissolved in water, it dissociates into:
- NH4⁺ (ammonium ion)
- SO4²⁻ (sulfate ion)
The ammonium ion (NH4⁺) can donate a proton (H⁺) to water, forming NH4OH (ammonium hydroxide), which is a weak base. However, since NH4⁺ is derived from a strong acid (H2SO4), the solution will be acidic due to the presence of H⁺ ions from the dissociation.
### Step 3: Analyze NaHCO3
When NaHCO3 is dissolved in water, it dissociates into:
- Na⁺ (sodium ion)
- HCO3⁻ (bicarbonate ion)
The bicarbonate ion (HCO3⁻) can act as a weak acid but also has the ability to react with water to form OH⁻ ions, making the solution basic. Therefore, NaHCO3 will produce a basic solution.
### Step 4: Analyze CuSO4
When CuSO4 is dissolved in water, it dissociates into:
- Cu²⁺ (copper ion)
- SO4²⁻ (sulfate ion)
The copper ion (Cu²⁺) can react with water to produce H⁺ ions, leading to the formation of H2SO4, which is a strong acid. Thus, the solution will be acidic.
### Step 5: Analyze AgNO3
When AgNO3 is dissolved in water, it dissociates into:
- Ag⁺ (silver ion)
- NO3⁻ (nitrate ion)
The nitrate ion (NO3⁻) does not affect the acidity of the solution, but the silver ion (Ag⁺) can also lead to the formation of HNO3 (nitric acid), which is a strong acid. Therefore, this solution will also be acidic.
### Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- NH4₂SO4 produces an acidic solution.
- NaHCO3 produces a basic solution.
- CuSO4 produces an acidic solution.
- AgNO3 produces an acidic solution.
Thus, the salts that are acidic in aqueous solutions are:
1. NH4₂SO4
2. CuSO4
3. AgNO3
### Final Answer
The acidic salts in aqueous solutions are: **NH4₂SO4, CuSO4, and AgNO3.**
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