Final answer:
The acidic equilibrium equation for acetic acid (HC2H3O2) in water is written as HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + C2H3O2¯(aq). This equation highlights the reversible dissociation process, signifying that acetic acid is a weak acid with a partial degree of ionization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acidic equilibrium equation for acetic acid (HC2H3O2) can be written as follows:
HC2H3O2(aq) + H2O(l) ↔ H3O+(aq) + C2H3O2-(aq)
This represents the reversible nature of the dissociation of acetic acid in water, producing hydronium ions (H3O+) and acetate ions (C2H3O2-). Acetic acid is a weak acid, meaning it does not dissociate completely in solution. Instead, it establishes an equilibrium between the undissociated and dissociated forms. The use of a double arrow in the chemical equation indicates this equilibrium, showing that the reaction can occur in both the forward and reverse directions. Unlike strong acids, which are nearly 100% ionized in solution, weak acids like acetic acid have a significantly lower degree of ionization.