Salts are defined as ionic compounds. It consists of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).
Salts are formed when acid and base reacts with each other. For example salt is formed during neutralization reaction.
Example: The most common example of salt is NaCl (Sodium chloride) also known as common salt which is used in cooking.
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H₂O
(Acid) (Base) (Salt) (Water)
Types of salts
Salts can be divided into different types
Alkali salts, acid salts, neutral salts, strong salts and weak salts.
Alkali salts – the salts are produce hydroxide ions when dissolved in water.
Acid salts – salts that produce acidic solutions are acid salts.
Neutral salts – those salts are neither acidic nor basic.
Strong salts – those salts dissociates in water strong electrolytes.
Weak salts – those salts dissociates in water weak electrolytes.
Properties of salts
Colour- solid salts are transparent. Eg: sodium chloride (NaCl).
Taste – different salts have basic tastes like salty (sodium chloride), sweet (lead acetate), sour ( potassium bitartrate), bitter ( magnesium sulphate ).
Odour – salts are non-volatile and odourless.
Solubility – many salts are soluble in water and polar solvents.
Conductivity – salts are insulators but solutions of salts conduct electricity ( Eg .,sodium chloride in water).
Melting point – salts have high melting points Eg: sodium chloride melts at 801°C.
Questions and Answers
1.) What is salt?
Answer: Salts are defined as the ionic compounds consists of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) called as salts.
2.) Give the types of salts?
Answer: salts are different types, acid salts, alkali salts, neutral salts, strong salts, weak salts.
3.) State the properties of salts?
Answer: Colour- solid salts are transparent. Eg sodium chloride (NaCl).
Taste: different salts have basic tastes like salty (sodium chloride), sweet (lead acetate), sour (potassium bitartrate ), bitter( magnesium sulphate).
Solubility : many salts are soluble in water and polar solvents.