Q1: In __________ process, ions of salts react with water to produce acidity or alkalinity.

ANS:B - hydrolysis

In the hydrolysis process, ions of salts react with water to produce acidity or alkalinity. So, the correct answer is: (b) hydrolysis Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction between a compound and water, where water molecules split into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻), and then these ions interact with the compound's ions, resulting in the breakdown of the compound into its constituent parts or the formation of new compounds. In the context of salts, hydrolysis typically involves the reaction of the ions of the salt with water. For example, when a salt such as sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions: sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻). In the process of hydrolysis, these ions interact with water molecules:

1. Sodium ions (Na⁺) may react with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen ions (H⁺): 𝑁𝑎++𝐻2𝑂→𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻+𝐻+Na++H2​O→NaOH+H+
2. Chloride ions (Cl⁻) may react with water to form hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻): 𝐶𝑙−+𝐻2𝑂→𝐻𝐶𝑙+𝑂𝐻−Cl−+H2​O→HCl+OH−

These reactions produce acidity or alkalinity in the solution depending on the nature of the ions formed. If the resulting solution has more 𝐻+H+ ions, it becomes acidic; if it has more 𝑂𝐻−OH− ions, it becomes alkaline. Hydrolysis plays a significant role in various chemical processes, including the digestion of food, the weathering of minerals, and the breakdown of biological molecules. It is also important in industrial processes such as the production of soap, where hydrolysis of fats produces fatty acids and glycerol.