The salt solution formed firm a reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide solution would be

Analyze the question: Ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) is a weak acid. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base. The question asks whether the salt solution formed (sodium ethanoate) is acidic, basic, neutral or amphoteric.

Concept: Salt hydrolysis The nature of a salt solution depends on the strength of the acid and base that formed it:

• Strong acid + strong base → neutral salt (e.g. NaCl)
• Strong acid + weak base → acidic salt solution (e.g. NH₄Cl)
• Weak acid + strong base → basic (alkaline) salt solution (e.g. CH₃COONa)
• Weak acid + weak base → depends on the relative strengths

Solution:

1. Reaction: CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O

2. Sodium ethanoate dissolves and ionises completely: CH₃COONa → CH₃COO⁻ + Na⁺

3. Na⁺ comes from a strong base, so it does not react with water.

4. The ethanoate ion CH₃COO⁻ is the conjugate base of a weak acid, so it picks up H⁺ from water (hydrolysis): CH₃COO⁻ + H₂O ⇌ CH₃COOH + OH⁻

5. This produces excess OH⁻ ions, so the solution has pH > 7, which means it is basic.

Answer: The salt solution is basic, which is option C.

Tip: Remember "the strong one wins." The salt solution takes on the character of the stronger parent. Weak acid + strong base gives a basic solution. Strong acid + weak base gives an acidic solution. Equal strengths give a neutral solution.