Question

Explain why dilute hcl acid is stronger than highly concentrated acetic acid

Answer 1

HCl is a strong acid, CH3COOH is a weak acid. Strong and weak acid refer to the degrees of dissociation.

HCl acid ionises completely to H+ and Cl- ions (that is, about 100 out of 100 molecules donate their hydrogen ion). Hence, it is a strong acid.

Acetic acid, on the other hand, dissociates partially (that is, about 1 out of 100 molecules separates from its hydrogen ion). In an acetic acid solution, there is a large number of undissociated CH3COOH molecules, and just a few H+ and CH3COO- ions.

Hence, dilute HCl acid is stronger than highly concentrated acetic acid.