Step 1:
\A solution made by mixing 0.10 mol of HCN with 0.040 mol NaOH in 1.0 L of aqueous solution.
\List the major species involved in reaction are HCN, Na+, OH–, H2O.
\Note : Here NaOH is not a major species.
\To have the clear idea consider the possibilities for the dominant reaction are
\H2O(l) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + OH–(aq)
\HCN(aq) + H2O(l) H3O+(aq) + CN–(aq)
\HCN(aq) + OH–(aq) CN–(aq) + H2O(l)
\Na+(aq) + OH–(aq) NaOH
\Na+(aq) + H2O(l) NaOH + H+(aq)
\Solution:
\Major species involved in reaction are HCN, Na+, OH–, H2O.