Suggest three ways in which salts can be prepared in the laboratory and explain why ammonium chloride solution is acidic.

Here's the answer to the question: a) Suggest three ways in which salts can be prepared in the laboratory. • Neutralization: Reaction between an acid and a base (e.g., HCl + NaOH NaCl + H_2O). • Reaction of an acid with a metal: For reactive metals (e.g., Mg + H_2SO_4 MgSO_4 + H_2). • Precipitation: Mixing two soluble salt solutions to form an insoluble salt (e.g., AgNO_3(aq) + NaCl(aq) AgCl(s) + NaNO_3(aq)). b) Explain why when ammonium chloride was dissolved in water and the solution tested, it was found to be acidic. Ammonium chloride (NH_4Cl) is a salt formed from a strong acid (HCl) and a weak base (NH_3). When dissolved in water, the ammonium ion (NH_4^+) hydrolyzes, reacting with water to produce ammonia (NH_3) and hydronium ions (H_3O^+), which makes the solution acidic. The chloride ion (Cl^-) does not hydrolyze significantly. NH_4^+(aq) + H_2O(l) NH_3(aq) + H_3O^+(aq) c) State three other applications of salts in your community. • Food preservation and seasoning: Sodium chloride (table salt) is used to season food and preserve meat and fish. • Fertilizers: Salts like ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride are used as fertilizers to enrich soil and promote plant growth. • Building materials: Calcium carbonate (limestone) is a salt used in the production of cement and as a building material. 3 done, 2 left today. You're making progress.