Question:identify the correct statement from the following
Identify the Correct Statement from the Following
Question
Identify the correct statement from the following:
1. What Is the Correct Statement?
The correct statement is:
Acetic acid has the chemical formula CH₃COOH. It does not completely ionize in water. Instead, it establishes an equilibrium between the undissociated acid and the ions formed. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
2. Why Is Acetic Acid a Weak Acid?
An acid is called weak when it only partially ionizes in water. Stronger acids have equilibria that lie more toward ionized products, whereas weaker acids have equilibria more toward the undissociated acid. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
This equilibrium means that acetic acid molecules and their ions coexist in the solution. Acetic acid therefore does not behave like a strong acid such as HCl, which reacts almost completely with water. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
3. Option A — All Acids Are Strong Acids
Not all acids are strong acids. Acids differ in how extensively they ionize in water. Acetic acid is a standard example of a weak acid. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
4. Option B — All Bases Are Soluble in Water
The statement is too broad. Base behavior and water solubility are different concepts. A substance can have basic properties without being completely soluble in water.
Do not confuse base with soluble base. Solubility tells us how much of a substance dissolves, while acid/base strength concerns chemical behavior such as ionization or proton transfer.
5. Option C — Acetic Acid Is a Weak Acid
Acetic acid, CH₃COOH, is a weak acid because it only partially dissociates in aqueous solution. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
The equilibrium arrow is important. It indicates that the reaction is reversible rather than complete. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
6. Option D — Sodium Chloride Is a Strong Acid
Sodium chloride, NaCl, is a salt. It is not classified as a strong acid.
7. Comparison of All Four Statements
| Option | Statement | Result | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | All acids are strong acids. | ❌ Incorrect | Acids can be strong or weak. |
| B | All bases are soluble in water. | ❌ Incorrect | Basicity and solubility are different concepts. |
| C | Acetic acid is a weak acid. | ✅ Correct | CH₃COOH partially ionizes in water. |
| D | Sodium chloride is a strong acid. | ❌ Incorrect | NaCl is a salt. |
8. Strong Acid vs Weak Acid
The distinction is based on the extent of ionization/dissociation in water: strong acids react almost completely, while weak acids establish an equilibrium with only partial ionization. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
9. Quick Revision
HCl → Strong acid
CH₃COOH → Weak acid ✅
H₂SO₄ → Strong acid in standard introductory chemistry
NaOH → Strong base
NaCl → Salt
Final Answer
Acetic acid is weak because it undergoes only partial ionization in water:
The equilibrium remains substantially toward the undissociated acid, which is characteristic of a weak acid. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}