Question

How and why do the net ionic equations for reactions involving strong and weak acids compare?

a) Strong acids produce more ions than weak acids.
b) Strong acids completely ionize; weak acids do not.
c) Weak acids produce fewer ions than strong acids.
d) The net ionic equations are the same for strong and weak acids.

Answer 1

Net ionic equations differ for strong and weak acids because strong acids completely ionize in water, while weak acids do not, leading to partial ionization with both ions and undissociated molecules present.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net ionic equations for reactions involving strong and weak acids are key to understanding their behaviors in chemical reactions. A strong acid like HCl undergoes complete ionization in water, meaning it fully dissociates into H+ (aq) and Cl- (aq) ions. In stark contrast, a weak acid, such as acetic acid (CH3COOH), will only partially ionize in water, resulting in the presence of both ions and undissociated molecules in the solution.

The correct answer to how and why net ionic equations for reactions involving strong and weak acids compare is b) Strong acids completely ionize; weak acids do not. This explains why the net ionic equation for a strong acid in water will include individual hydrogens and anions, whereas the equation for a weak acid will often show undissociated molecules remaining in equilibrium with their ions.