In a .1M aq. soln of NaCN, how would you determine the major species (other than water)? And how would you determine the pH (not exact pH, I just want to know how to know if it is acidic ie. <7, etc).

Question

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Wouldn't litmus paper or litmus solution determine if the pH is acidic or basic? The pH is approximately 11.
For the species, the fact that it is basic will tell you OH^- is one major specie. Addition of AgNO3 will tell you CN is there but that isn't a definitive test for CN^-. A flame test is far too sensitive but it will tell you Na^+ is a major specie.

Answer 2

Well I'm not actually making it in a lab...I just don't fully understand the concept of this

Answer 3

The concept is to make you think!