Which salt is used in the manufacture of soap? MCQ with Answer and Explanation

Explanation:
Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa) is a salt of weak acid (acetic acid) and strong base (NaOH). It hydrolyzes to produce OH⁻ ions: CH₃COO⁻ + H₂O ⇌ CH₃COOH + OH⁻, making the solution basic. NaCl (strong acid-strong base) neutral. NH₄Cl (strong acid-weak base) acidic. NaNO₃ neutral. Basic salts turn red litmus blue.

Explanation:
CO₂ has sp hybridized carbon, forming two double bonds with oxygen in a linear arrangement (O=C=O) with bond angle 180°. H₂O is bent (angular, 104.5°), NH₃ is trigonal pyramidal (107°), CH₄ is tetrahedral (109.5°). Molecular shape is determined by VSEPR theory: CO₂ has 2 bond pairs, 0 lone pairs → linear.

Explanation:
Chadwick (1932) produced highly penetrating neutral radiation by bombarding Be with α-particles, identified as neutrons. Reaction: ⁹Be + ⁴He → ¹²C + ¹n.