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Question

Out of HCI and CH3COOH, which one is a weak acid and why? Describe an activity to support your answer.

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Solution

CH3COOH is a weak acid when compared to HCI because HCI completely dissociates into ions in solution whereas CH3COOH being weak acid is partially dissociated into ions in solution.

This can be proved by the following activity:

Two iron nails are fitted on a cork and are kept in a 100 mL beaker. The nails are then connected to the two terminals of a 6 - volt battery through a bulb and a switch. Some dilute HCI is poured in the beaker and the current is switched on. The same experiment is then performed with CH3COOH.

Observations:

It will be observed that the bulb glows in the HCI solution and does not glow in the CH3COOH solution.

Inference:

HCI, being a strong acid dissociates into H+ and CI ions. These ions conduct electricity in the solution resulting in the glowing of the bulb. On the other hand, the CH3COOH is a weak acid. It does not dissociate into ions completely in solution. Therefore, it does not conduct electricity.


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