Chapter 16, Problem 16.121QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

From the given problem statement,

The diagram best representing a strong acid, weak acid and very weak acid has to be identified.

Concept Information:

A chemical substance that gives hydrogen ions when dissolved in water is called as an acid.  Acids may be weak or strong based on the tendency of acid to produce hydrogen ions in water.

The degree to which an acid produces hydrogen ion determines the strength of an acid.

In other words, it refers to the tendency or ability of an acid to lose a proton.  The strength of all the acids will not be same.  The strength of an acid is measurable.

Based on the strength of the acid, acids can be classified as strong acids and weak acids.

Acids ionize in water.  Strong acids ionize completely whereas weak acids ionize to some limited extent.

In strong acids, the ionization of acid is complete.  This implies that the concentration of the hydrogen ion or hydronium ion will be equal to the initial concentration of the acid at equilibrium.  In weak acids, the concentration of hydronium ion will not be equal to the initial concentration of acid.

To Identify: The diagram best representing a strong acid, weak acid and very weak acid