....and can you explain to me why? I assume it's CH3COOH, because I believe it's a weaker acid, but I am not sure if that is right.
2007-10-19 06:13:59 · 2 answers · asked by cdavis337 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
yes, you are right. acetic acid is rather molecular, only a few percent of H+ in solution at a time. HCl in water exists as almost 100% H+ and Cl-, so neutralization (formation of water) is a lot faster.
2007-10-19 06:17:53 · answer #1 · answered by Carborane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that's correct. In both cases, the actual neutralization reaction is H+ + OH- --> H2O. In HCl, because it is a strong acid, all of the molecules are already ionized. However, in acetic acid, most of the molecules are still protonated, and so some of the heat released in forming water is absorbed in the endothermic ionization of acetic acid to acetate.
Hope this makes sense.
2007-10-19 13:19:34 · answer #2 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋