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Multiple Choice
Which of the following compounds is the strongest acid?
A
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
B
Ammonia (NH3)
C
Water (H2O)
D
Acetic acid (CH3COOH)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the nature of each compound: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid, ammonia (NH3) is a weak base, water (H2O) is neutral, and acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a weak acid.
Understand the concept of acid strength: Strong acids completely dissociate in water, releasing more hydrogen ions (H⁺), while weak acids only partially dissociate.
Compare the dissociation of each compound: HCl dissociates completely in water, while CH3COOH only partially dissociates, making HCl a stronger acid.
Consider the pKa values: Strong acids have lower pKa values. HCl has a very low pKa, indicating it is a strong acid compared to acetic acid, which has a higher pKa.
Conclude based on the comparison: Since HCl is a strong acid and dissociates completely, it is the strongest acid among the given compounds.