Differentiation between complete and partial ionization.
Answers
Answer :
When we say that weak acids partially ionize, it does not mean that all the weak acid molecules ionize partially. It means that a portion of the molecules present ionize fully and the rest of the molecules does not.
When we say that weak acids partially ionize, it does not mean that all the weak acid molecules ionize partially. It means that a portion of the molecules present ionize fully and the rest of the molecules does not.Your example of a weak acid, carbonic acid H2CO3. In a solution of H2CO3, you will find (other than H2O, H+ and OH- from water) H+, (CO3)2- and H2CO3. Some of the H2CO3 dissociated to became H+ and (CO3)2- while the rest remained as H2CO3.
When we say that weak acids partially ionize, it does not mean that all the weak acid molecules ionize partially. It means that a portion of the molecules present ionize fully and the rest of the molecules does not.Your example of a weak acid, carbonic acid H2CO3. In a solution of H2CO3, you will find (other than H2O, H+ and OH- from water) H+, (CO3)2- and H2CO3. Some of the H2CO3 dissociated to became H+ and (CO3)2- while the rest remained as H2CO3.For H2SO4, a strong acid, sulfuric acid, you can only find H+ and (SO4)2-. No more H2SO4 molecules because all of them dissociated to form the ions.