Chapter 16, Problem 66QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The given acids are to be classified as strong or weak.

Concept Introduction:

Acids are substances that ionize when dissolved in water and donate a proton.

Strong acids completely ionize in water and increase the concentration of hydronium ions more than the weak acids, in which case partial dissociation takes place.

For strong acids, the reaction is as follows:

${\text{HA}}_{\left(\text{aq}\right)}+{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\left(\text{l}\right)}\to {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\left(\text{aq}\right)}+{\text{A}}^{\text{-}}{}_{\left(\text{aq}\right)}$

The reaction of strong acids goes to completion because it dissociates completely.

For weak acids, the reaction is as follows:

${\text{HA}}_{\left(\text{aq}\right)}+{\text{H}}_2{\text{O}}_{\left(\text{l}\right)}\rightleftharpoons {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{}_{\left(\text{aq}\right)}+{\text{A}}^{-}{}_{\left(\text{aq}\right)}$

The reaction of weak acid is an equilibrium reaction because it dissociates partially.