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Multiple Choice
Which of the following compounds is considered a strong acid in aqueous solution?
A
Ammonia (NH3)
B
Water (H2O)
C
Acetic acid (CH3COOH)
D
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the nature of each compound listed: Ammonia (NH3) is a weak base, Water (H2O) is neutral, Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid, and Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid.
Understand the concept of acid strength: Strong acids completely dissociate in water, releasing a high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+).
Consider the dissociation of each compound in water: NH3 does not release H+ ions, H2O is neutral and does not dissociate significantly, CH3COOH partially dissociates, and HCl completely dissociates.
Recognize that strong acids have a high degree of ionization in aqueous solution, which means they release more H+ ions compared to weak acids.
Conclude that Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the strong acid among the given options because it fully dissociates in water, releasing a high concentration of H+ ions.