(a) State two properties of alkalis (b)(i) Why is tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid able to produce two types of salt? (ii) Write an equation for the reactior involved on heating sodium trioxosulphate (IV) with hydrochloric acid.
Explanation
(a)(i) Alkalis react with acids to form salt and water only. (ii) Alkalis react with ammonium salts in the presence of heat to generate ammonia gas. (iii) It has a bitter taste. (iv) They turn red litmus blue (any two)
(b)(i) Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid is able to produce two types of salt because it is a dibase acid that contains two replaceable hydrogen atoms. (ii) Na\(_2\)SO\(_3\) + 2HCI —› 2NaCl + H\(_2\)O + SO\(_2\).
