Based on these molecular views, determine whether each pictured acid is weak or strong.

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Identify the molecular view of the acid in question. Look for the presence of ions and molecules in the solution.

Understand that a strong acid completely dissociates into its ions in solution, meaning you should see only ions and no intact acid molecules.

Recognize that a weak acid only partially dissociates, so you will see both ions and intact acid molecules in the solution.

Compare the molecular views: if the solution contains mostly ions, the acid is strong; if it contains a significant number of intact molecules, the acid is weak.

Use this analysis to determine whether each pictured acid is weak or strong based on the presence of ions and molecules in the molecular view.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Strong vs. Weak Acids

Strong acids completely dissociate in water, releasing all their hydrogen ions (H+) and resulting in a high concentration of H+ ions in solution. In contrast, weak acids only partially dissociate, leading to a lower concentration of H+ ions. This distinction is crucial for predicting the behavior of acids in chemical reactions and their pH levels.

Dissociation Constant (Ka)

The acid dissociation constant (Ka) quantifies the strength of an acid in solution. A larger Ka value indicates a stronger acid, as it signifies a greater tendency to donate protons. Understanding Ka helps in comparing the strengths of different acids and predicting their behavior in various chemical environments.

Molecular Structure and Polarity

The molecular structure and polarity of an acid influence its strength. Factors such as electronegativity, bond strength, and molecular size affect how easily an acid can donate a proton. For example, acids with highly electronegative atoms bonded to hydrogen tend to be stronger due to the increased polarity of the H-X bond, facilitating proton release.

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Based on these molecular views, determine whether each pictured acid is weak or strong.

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