Question

Acetic acid is a tribasic acid.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

Step 1: The basicity of an acid is defined as the number of Hydronium ion(s) $\left({\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}\right)$ produced by the ionization of an acid in an aqueous solution.

Step 2: Acetic acid $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$contains four hydrogen atoms in its molecule, but three of its hydrogen atoms combined with carbon form a covalent bond, and the hydrogen attached to oxygen is of polar nature, so the hydrogen of -OH releases only one hydronium ion in an aqueous solution.

${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}$

Step 3: Acetic acid $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$contains four hydrogen atoms in its molecule, but it releases only one hydronium ion in an aqueous solution thus, it is called a monobasic acid.

Correct statement: Acetic acid is a monobasic acid.

Therefore, the given statement is false.