Classify each of the molecules on the left as an acid, base, or salt. The dissociation products of the molecules are shown to help you. H2SO4 → 2H+ + SO42⁻ a. Acid b. Base c. Salt
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Identify the molecule given: H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid).
Look at the dissociation products: 2H⁺ and SO₄²⁻.
Recall that acids are substances that release H⁺ ions (protons) when dissolved in water.
Since H₂SO₄ dissociates to release 2H⁺ ions, it fits the definition of an acid.
Therefore, classify H₂SO₄ as an acid based on its dissociation into hydrogen ions and sulfate ions.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Acids and Their Ionization
Acids are molecules that release hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water. For example, H₂SO₄ dissociates to produce H⁺ ions, which increase the solution's acidity. Understanding acid ionization helps classify molecules based on their ability to donate protons.
Bases are substances that accept hydrogen ions or release hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in solution. Identifying bases involves recognizing molecules that increase OH⁻ concentration or remove H⁺ ions, which raises the pH of the solution.
Salts are ionic compounds formed from the neutralization reaction between acids and bases. They dissociate into cations and anions that are neither H⁺ nor OH⁻, such as SO₄²⁻ in the example, and do not affect the pH significantly on their own.