Write the net ionic equation for the acid-base hydrolysis equilibrium that is established when ammonium bromide is dissolved in water. (Use H3O instead of H.) H2O (l) This solution is ___.

NH₄⁺ (aq) + H₂O (l) ⇄ H₃O⁺ (aq) + NH₃ (aq)

The solution is acid.

Explanation:

Ammonium bromide → NH₄Br

This is a salt that can dissociates like this:

NH₄Br (aq) → NH₄⁺ (aq) + Br⁻ (aq)

NH₄⁺ cation comes from a weak base, the ammonia. So the cation is the conjugate strong acid.

Br⁻ anion comes from a strong acid (HBr), so the anion is the conjugate weak base and in water, it does not make hydrolisis. It does not react.

So the NH₄⁺ is the one that can react to water, realeasing one proton as this equation shows:

NH₄⁺ (aq) + H₂O (l) ⇄ H₃O⁺ (aq) + NH₃ (aq)

As we give hyrdronium in the medium, the solution is acid.