Final answer:
According to the Arrhenius definition of an acid, acetic acid (CH3COOH) reacts with water to form hydronium ions (H3O+) and acetate ions (CH3COO−) in a reversible equilibrium, demonstrating it is a weak acid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked for a chemical equation according to the Arrhenius definition of an acid, which involves the production of excess hydrogen ions (H+) in aqueous solution. However, a typo in the given formula suggests that they meant to refer to acetic acid, which has the formula HC2H3O2 (also written as CH3COOH). Acetic acid is a weak acid that partially dissociates in water according to the following equilibrium reaction:
CH3COOH(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ H3O+ (aq) + CH3COO− (aq)
This reaction shows acetic acid (CH3COOH) releasing a hydrogen ion (H+) in the form of the hydronium ion (H3O+) when it reacts with water. The resulting anion is the acetate ion (CH3COO−). The use of a double arrow indicates that this is a reversible reaction, which is characteristic of weak acids. The presence of the hydronium ion indicates that acetic acid fits the Arrhenius definition of an acid.