What factors qualify a compound as a salt? Specify which of the following compounds are salts: \(\mathrm{CH}_{4},\) \(\mathrm{NaF}, \mathrm{NaOH}, \mathrm{CaO}, \mathrm{BaSO}_{4}, \mathrm{HNO}_{3}, \mathrm{NH}_{3}, \mathrm{KBr}\)

A salt is generally defined as an ionic compound that results from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. Ionic compounds usually consist of a metal and a non-metal part.

Now, categorize the given compounds as salts or non-salts by identifying if they are composed of metal and non-metal ions. \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\) is a non-metal compound, thus this is not a salt.\(\mathrm{NaF}\) is composed of metal Sodium (Na) and non-metal Fluorine(F), thus this is a salt.\(\mathrm{NaOH}\) is composed of metal Sodium (Na), non-metal Oxygen(O) and Hydrogen(H) which form OH- (hydroxide ion) from a base. So this is a base, not a salt.\(\mathrm{CaO}\) has Calcium (Ca), a metal, and Oxygen (O), a non-metal. Hence, this is a salt.\(\mathrm{BaSO}_{4}\) has Barium (Ba - a metal) and \(\mathrm{SO}_{4}\) (which is a polyatomic ion). Hence, it is a salt.\(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) has Hydrogen (H) which typically indicate an acid when combined with non-metals. This is an acid, not a salt.\(\mathrm{NH}_{3}\) is a non-metal compound which is typically a base, thus this is not a salt.\(\mathrm{KBr}\) has Potassium (K - a metal) and Bromine (Br - a non-metal). So, it is a salt.