Chapter 3, Problem 1Q

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The strongest acid of the following reagents is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

$\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$ of a reagent can be mathematically defined as follows:

$\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}\text{= }-\text{log(}{K}_{\text{a}}\text{) }$, where $K_{\text{a}}$ is the dissolution constant …… (1)

More the dissolution constant, more are the ions produced when the reagent is dissolved in water. Thus, by the above relation, strong acids have low $\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$.

The stronger the acid, the weaker is its conjugate base.

Larger the $\text{p}{K}_{\text{a}}$ of the conjugate base, the stronger the acid is.