What is the pH value of salts resulting from the combination of a strong acid and a weak base, and how does this compare to neutral pH?

Salts resulting from the combination of a strong acid and a weak base have an acidic pH, typically below 7.0. In this scenario, the strong acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid, HCl) completely neutralizes the weak base (e.g., ammonia, NH₃). The resulting salt solution contains excess hydrogen ions (H⁺), imparting acidity. This pH is lower than neutral (pH 7.0). For instance, ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) formed from the reaction of hydrochloric acid and ammonia exhibits an acidic pH. The presence of excess H⁺ ions distinguishes it from neutral pH, reflecting the acidity resulting from the strong acid-weak base combination.