Question

Enthalpy neutrallisation of acetic acid with sodium hydroxide is less than -57.32 kj.justify this statement

Answer 1

Acetic Acid is a weak acid while NaOH is a strong base. Acetic Acid is in equilibrium reaction, changing between CH3COOH to CH3COO- and H+, with most of the solution being in the CH3COOH state. Since it does not ionise completely, the OH- from NaOH cannot neutralise too many acid. As a result, the Enthalpy Change of Neutralisation is less than -57.32 kJ.