Assertion (A): Aqueous solution of ammonium acetate is neutral
Reason(R): Dissociation constants of `NH_(4),OH(K_(6))` and that of `CH_(3),COOH (K_(a))` are nearly equal.

Options

A. both A & R are true, R is the corect explanation of A
B. both A &R are true, R is not correct explanation of A
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true

Answer

To solve the question regarding the assertion and reason about the neutrality of an aqueous solution of ammonium acetate, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Components
Ammonium acetate (CH₃COONH₄) is a salt formed from a weak acid (acetic acid, CH₃COOH) and a weak base (ammonium hydroxide, NH₄OH).

**Hint:** Identify the components of the salt and their strengths (weak or strong).

### Step 2: Hydrolysis of Ammonium Acetate
When ammonium acetate is dissolved in water, it undergoes hydrolysis:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COONH}_4 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightleftharpoons \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{NH}_4\text{OH} \]
This reaction produces acetic acid (a weak acid) and ammonium hydroxide (a weak base).

**Hint:** Write the hydrolysis reaction to see the products formed.

### Step 3: Analyze the Nature of the Solution
Since both acetic acid and ammonium hydroxide are weak, they do not completely dissociate in solution. The resulting solution will be neutral if the strengths of the weak acid and weak base are comparable.

**Hint:** Consider the strength of the acid and base produced in the hydrolysis.

### Step 4: Compare Dissociation Constants
The assertion states that the solution is neutral. The reason provided states that the dissociation constants \( K_a \) of acetic acid and \( K_b \) of ammonium hydroxide are nearly equal. If \( K_a \approx K_b \), the solution will be neutral.

**Hint:** Recall that for a solution to be neutral, the dissociation constants of the weak acid and weak base should be approximately equal.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Since both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion, we conclude that the assertion is correct.

**Final Answer:** Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.