Question

Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid.

Ethanoic acid is a weak acid.
Describe a reaction that could be used to show the difference between a weak acid and a
strong acid.
You should explain why the weak acid and the strong acid give different results.

Answer 1

correct comparative pH, such as, 0-3 (strong) 4-6 (weak) • named reaction, such as, with a reactive metal or a named carbonate • comparative results or observations of the named reaction, such as, faster reaction (strong) or greater volume of gas produced in a given time (strong)

Step-by-step explanation:

Explanations of different results • weak acids are only partially ionised in aqueous solution • strong acids are completely ionised in aqueous solution/ greater concentration of H+ ions • aqueous solutions of acids at the same concentration/ powder, same temperature

Answer 2

One reaction that can be used to show the difference between a weak acid and a strong acid is the reaction with magnesium. When magnesium is added to hydrochloric acid, a vigorous reaction occurs, releasing hydrogen gas and forming magnesium chloride:

2HCl(aq) + Mg(s) → MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

In contrast, when magnesium is added to ethanoic acid, a slow reaction occurs, releasing hydrogen gas and forming magnesium ethanoate:

2CH3COOH(aq) + Mg(s) → Mg(CH3COO)2(aq) + H2(g)

The reason for the difference in reaction rate between the two acids is due to their different levels of dissociation in water. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid and completely dissociates in water, releasing a high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in solution. In contrast, ethanoic acid is a weak acid and only partially dissociates in water, releasing a low concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. As a result, the reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid is more vigorous because of the high concentration of hydrogen ions in solution, whereas the reaction between magnesium and ethanoic acid is slower due to the lower concentration of hydrogen ions in solution.

Step-by-step explanation: