Question

Fill in the blanks by using the correct word/ term given in the brackets.

The concentration of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ ions given by HCl is ____ than that given by equal concentration of ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$. (less/greater)

Answer 1

Strong acid

The acid that can undergo almost complete ionisation in a very short span is known as a strong acid. For example, Hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Weak acid

A weak acid can not be dissociated completely. For example, Acetic acid $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$ is classified as a weak acid.

The dissociation reactions of Acetic acid and Hydrochloric acid are given below:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\leftrightharpoons {\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ \left(\mathrm{weak}\mathrm{acid}\right) \\ \mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ (\mathrm{strong}\mathrm{acid}) \end{gathered}$$

Thus, the concentration of ${\mathbf{H}}^{\mathbf{+}}$ions given by HCl is greater than that given by the equal concentration of ${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{COOH}$.