Salts

Salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of related numbers of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negative ions) so that the product is electrically neutral (without a net charge). These component ions can be inorganic, such as chloride (Cl−), or organic, such as acetate (CH3COO−); and can be monatomic, such as fluoride (F−), or polyatomic, such as sulfate (SO42−).

Types of Salts[edit | edit source]

There are several varieties of salts, and in this section, we will discuss four major types of salts: Acid Salts, Basic Salts, Neutral Salts, and Mixed Salts.

Acid Salts[edit | edit source]

An acid salt is a salt that has one or more H+ ions attached to it. They are formed by partial neutralization of polybasic acids.

Basic Salts[edit | edit source]

A basic salt contains a hydroxide ion. They are formed by partial neutralization of a base.

Neutral Salts[edit | edit source]

A neutral salt is a salt that neither has H+ ions nor OH- ions. They are formed by complete neutralization of an acid by a base.

Mixed Salts[edit | edit source]

A mixed salt is a salt that contains more than one basic or acid radical. They are formed by neutralization of an acid by a base.

Properties of Salts[edit | edit source]

Salts have a number of unique properties. Some of the most common properties of salts include:

Salts are usually solid and crystalline at room temperature.
Salts have high melting and boiling points.
Salts are usually soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents.
Salts conduct electricity in molten state or in an aqueous solution.

Uses of Salts[edit | edit source]

Salts have a wide range of uses in various industries. Some of the most common uses of salts include:

In food: Salts are used for seasoning and preservation.
In medicine: Salts are used in the production of various medicines.
In agriculture: Salts are used as fertilizers.
In industry: Salts are used in the production of various chemicals.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Salts Resources
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