Question

List the following by ability to ionize, least to greatest.

- H₂S, Ka = 1.0x10⁻⁷
- HC₂H₃O₂, Ka = 1.8x10⁻⁵
- HClO, Ka = 3.5x10-8
- H₃BO₃, Ka = 7.3x10⁻¹⁰
- HC₇H₅O₂, Ka = 6.3x10⁻⁵

Answer 1

The ability to ionize from least to greatest for the given acids is H₃BO₃ < HClO < H₂S < HC₂H₃O₂ < HC₇H₅O₂, based on their acid-ionization constants (Ka).

Step-by-step explanation:

The ability of an acid to ionize is measured by its acid-ionization constant (Ka). To list the given acids in order of their ability to ionize from least to greatest, we compare their Ka values. A smaller Ka value means weaker ionization, while a larger Ka value means stronger ionization.

A higher Ka indicates a stronger acid and thus a greater ability to ionize, so HC₇H₅O₂ with the highest Ka value ionizes the most and H₃BO₃ with the lowest Ka value ionizes the least.