2006-09-29 06:29:33 · 9 answers · asked by boaz0612 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The strength of an acid can be correlated with the stasbility of the conjugate base. When water is deprotonated, the conjugate base is hydroxide. The negative charge is localized on a single oxygen atom. There are no additional structural elements that diffuse the negative charge. When acetic acid is deprotonated, the negative charge is delocalized throughout the carboxylate. Thus, the negative charge is distributed over two oxygen atoms, easing the burden on each atom. The more functional groups that can diffuse a chrge, the more stable the ion will be. Any description of pKa is the mathematical manifestation of this concept, but the pKa is not the REASON for acidity, the pKa is the MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION of acidity.
2006-09-29 07:21:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of more H(+) ions coming from the dissociation of acetic acid than from the dissociation of water.
Pure water will have a concentration of H(+) ions equal to
10^(-7). That is why the pH of water will be 7.
Acetic acid, depending on the concentration will dissociate giving a higher concentration of H(+) ions. If the concentration of H(+) ions coming from acetic acid is 0.001 (=10^(-3)), then the pH of the acetic acid solution will be 3.
A lower pH will indicate that the solution is more strongly acidic.
(3 compared to 7).
2006-09-29 07:09:35 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. J. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone above told you that water is not an acid, but I am sure that you and I know what we are talking about:
Ionization of covalent compounds (like ionization of water and acids) and dissociation of ionic substances or ionized covalent substances (like acetic acid in water and NaCl in water) are the chemical phenomena responsibles for the acid character of substance.
The reason that acetic acid is a stronger acid (in the Bronsted and Lowry theory sense) is because the proton in Acetic Acid is more "available" to be dissociated than the proton (or more properly hidronium ion) dissociated from water.
The Ka for acetic acid is 1.8 x 10^-5 while the Ka (or more correct Kw) of water is 1 x 10^-7.
As you can see, Ka (acetic acid) > Kw so acetic acid is more "acidic" than water in those terms.
Good luck!
NOTE: I totally agree with frankenballs... His explanation founds the mathematical concepts some of us discuss here.
2006-09-29 07:06:22 · answer #3 · answered by CHESSLARUS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is normally of pH 7 and the chemical fomular is H2O as we all know.
Acetic acid on the other hand, has a lower pH than 7. (On a pH scale and that means it is acidic. The lower the pH, the more acidic it gets)
If you want more infomation, here it is:
Acetic acid is also known as ethanoic acid and it is used for vinegar. It is considered to be a weak acid although the vapor can irritate your eyes and nose.
2006-09-29 06:40:35 · answer #4 · answered by Tsuki 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Acetic acid is an acid with a Ph lower than 7 neutral.
Water is neutral with a Ph of 7.
2006-09-29 06:31:55 · answer #5 · answered by god knows and sees else Yahoo 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Water is not an acid. It's neutral. Acetic acid is acitic because it's pH is lower than 7. This is caused by the H+ ions in the solution.
2006-09-29 06:35:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Water is not acidic. It is neutral neither acidic nor basic.
2006-09-29 06:35:17 · answer #7 · answered by openpsychy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because 10 letters but water has 5 letters...
2006-09-29 06:50:32 · answer #8 · answered by Muthu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It donates more H+ ions to the solution and this increases the pH of the solution
2006-09-29 06:34:40 · answer #9 · answered by bobobob 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋