Textbook Question
From this electrostatic potential map of the amino acid alanine, identify the most acidic hydrogens in the molecule:
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10. Acids and Bases
Acid and Base Strength
1:53 minutesProblem 77
Textbook Question
Determine if each of the following diagrams represents a strong acid or a weak acid. The acid has the formula HX.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Analyze the diagrams provided. The left diagram shows a solution where almost all molecules of HX have dissociated into H₃O⁺ and A⁻ ions, while the right diagram shows a solution where only a few molecules of HX have dissociated, leaving most of the HX molecules intact.
Step 2: Recall the definition of a strong acid. A strong acid completely dissociates in water, meaning that nearly all acid molecules (HX) break apart into H₃O⁺ and A⁻ ions.
Step 3: Recall the definition of a weak acid. A weak acid only partially dissociates in water, meaning that most of the acid molecules (HX) remain intact, with only a small fraction breaking apart into H₃O⁺ and A⁻ ions.
Step 4: Compare the diagrams to the definitions. The left diagram represents a strong acid because it shows complete dissociation of HX into H₃O⁺ and A⁻ ions. The right diagram represents a weak acid because it shows partial dissociation, with many HX molecules remaining intact.
Step 5: Conclude that the left diagram corresponds to a strong acid, while the right diagram corresponds to a weak acid, based on the degree of dissociation observed in each solution.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Strong Acids vs. Weak Acids
Strong acids completely dissociate in water, meaning that all of the acid molecules break apart into ions. This results in a high concentration of hydronium ions (H3O+) in solution. In contrast, weak acids only partially dissociate, leading to a lower concentration of H3O+ and a mixture of undissociated acid molecules and ions.
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Dissociation Equilibrium
The dissociation of acids in water can be described by an equilibrium reaction. For weak acids, the equilibrium lies to the left, indicating that a significant amount of the acid remains undissociated. In strong acids, the equilibrium lies far to the right, favoring the formation of ions, which is why they are considered strong.
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Acid Strength and pH
The strength of an acid is often measured by its pH level, which indicates the concentration of H3O+ ions in solution. Strong acids typically have a low pH (below 3), while weak acids have a higher pH (above 3). Understanding the relationship between acid strength and pH is crucial for determining the nature of the acid represented in the diagrams.
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