What is the Difference Between Normal Salt and Acid Salt?

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The main difference between normal salt and acid salt lies in the compounds they are formed from and their ionization properties in water solutions.

  • Normal Salt: Normal salts are formed from the combination of a strong acid and a strong base, or a weak acid and a weak base. Examples of normal salts include sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and potassium sulfate (K2SO4). When normal salts dissolve in water, they ionize to form an equal number of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
  • Acid Salt: Acid salts are formed from the combination of a strong acid and a weak base. Examples of acid salts include sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4). In water solutions, acid salts ionize to form more hydrogen ions (H+) than hydroxide ions (OH-).

In summary, normal salts are formed from strong acids and strong bases or weak acids and weak bases, while acid salts are formed from strong acids and weak bases. Normal salts ionize to form equal numbers of hydrogen and hydroxide ions, whereas acid salts ionize to form more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions in water solutions.

Comparative Table: Normal Salt vs Acid Salt

The main difference between normal salt and acid salt lies in their chemical properties and pH levels in water. Here is a comparison summary in tabular form:

Normal Salt Acid Salt
Formed from the combination of a strong acid and a strong base Formed from the incomplete replacement of hydrogen atoms of an acid
Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a common example Ammonium salts, sodium bisulfite, and calcium oxalate are examples
Neutral pH in water (7.0) Acidic pH in water (less than 7.0)
Occurs naturally in seawater and rock salt May not occur naturally in significant quantities

In summary, normal salt is a mineral compound primarily consisting of sodium chloride, while acid salt is a salt compound formed from the incomplete replacement of a hydrogen atom of an acid. Normal salt is formed when all the hydrogen ions of an acid have been replaced by metal ions or ammonium ions, and it has a neutral pH when dissolved in water. On the other hand, acid salt forms an acidic solution when dissolved in water due to the presence of a weak acid and a strong base.