Question

Why is acetic acid called a weak acid though there are four hydrogen atoms in the molecule?

October 1, 2024

Answer

Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is called a weak acid because it does not completely dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. While it has four hydrogen atoms, only one of them (the one attached to the carboxyl group, -COOH) can release a proton (H⁺) to form acetate ions (CH₃COO⁻). In contrast, strong acids completely dissociate into ions in solution. In the case of acetic acid, only a small fraction of the molecules release their protons, which is why it is classified as a weak acid.

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