Question

The strength of an acid or base depends on the degree on of ionization in water. The graph represents a

Answer 1

the answer is A - weak acid

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

HA in the graph represents a weak acid.

Explanation

Is HA an acid or a base?

Apply the Arrhenius Theory of Acids and Bases.

• Acids ionize in water to produce
  `\text{H}^(+)` (or equivalently
  `\text{H}_3\text{O}^(+)`) and a conjugate ion.
• Bases ionize in water to produce
  `\text{OH}^(-)` and a conjugate ion.

The equation in the picture shows that HA ionizes in water to produce
`\text{H}_3\text{O}^(+)` ions. By the Arrhenius Theory of acids and bases, HA is an acid.

Is HA a weak acid or a strong acid?

Both weak and strong Arrhenius acids ionize in water to produce
`\text{H}^(+)` (or equivalently
`\text{H}_3\text{O}^(+)`) and a conjugate ion. However,

• Strong acids ionize completely. There would be nearly no acid left in the solution. Expect arrows
  `\to` ⇒ in only one direction in the equation.
• Weak acids also ionize, but only partially. There would be plenty of acid left in the solution. Expect two-sided arrows like ⇔ and two-sided harpoons like
  `\rightleftharpoons` in the equation.

As seen in the bar chart, there are plenty of HA left after ionization. HA ionizes only partially. Also, the equation shows a two-sided arrow. As a result, HA is a weak acid.