Question

consider two acids: cl2chco2h (dichloroacetic acid, pka = 1.3) and ch3co2h (acetic acid, pka = 4.8). which acid has the larger ka? select the single best answer. acetic acid dichloroacetic acid

Answer 1

Dichloroacetic acid, with a pKa of 1.3, has a larger Ka value and is a stronger acid than acetic acid, which has a pKa of 4.8.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the comparison of the acid strengths of dichloroacetic acid (Cl2CHCO2H) and acetic acid (CH3CO2H), we use the pKa values given. A smaller pKa value indicates a stronger acid, which means it has a larger acid dissociation constant (Ka). Since dichloroacetic acid has a pKa of 1.3 and acetic acid has a pKa of 4.8, dichloroacetic acid has the larger Ka value compared to acetic acid. It is important to remember that pKa and Ka are inversely related; as the pKa decreases, the Ka increases.