Question

Do acids dissociate or ionize?

Answer 1

Step 1: Definitions:

1. Ionization: Ionization is the process of the formation of ions (that are not present in the acids or water before) when water is added to a substance.
2. Ex: $\mathrm{HCl}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to {\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$
3. Dissociation: Dissociation is the process of breaking down the substance into simpler compounds like atoms, molecules, or ions already present in that substance.
4. Ex: $\underset{\mathrm{Ionic}\mathrm{compound}}{\mathrm{NaCl}}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$

Step 2: Reaction of Acids with Water:

1. When water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ is added to the acids, the acids$\left(\mathrm{HA}\right)$ dissociate into ions (one by gaining the ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ ion $\left({\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}\right)$ and another by losing the ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ ion $\left({\mathrm{A}}^{-}\right)$.
2. If more ions are liberated after reacting with water, those types of acids are called Strong acids.
3. If less number of ions are liberated after reacting with water, those types of acids are called Weak acids.

Step 3: Ionization of Acids:

Acids are the substances which undergo Ionization because they liberate the ions which are not present in the acids before the addition of the water.

$\mathbf{\therefore }$ Acids when added to water undergo ionization only.