Question

The strength of an acid or base depends on the degree on of ionization in water. The graph represents a

Answer 1

Answer:

the answer is A - weak acid

Explanation:

Answer 2

HA in the graph represents a weak acid.

Explanation

Is HA an acid or a base?

Apply the Arrhenius Theory of Acids and Bases.

• Acids ionize in water to produce $\text{H}^{+}$ (or equivalently $\text{H}_3\text{O}^{+}$) and a conjugate ion.
• Bases ionize in water to produce $\text{OH}^{-}$ and a conjugate ion.

The equation in the picture shows that HA ionizes in water to produce $\text{H}_3\text{O}^{+}$ ions. By the Arrhenius Theory of acids and bases, HA is an acid.

Is HA a weak acid or a strong acid?

Both weak and strong Arrhenius acids ionize in water to produce $\text{H}^{+}$ (or equivalently $\text{H}_3\text{O}^{+}$) and a conjugate ion. However,

• Strong acids ionize completely. There would be nearly no acid left in the solution. Expect arrows $\to$ ⇒ in only one direction in the equation.
• Weak acids also ionize, but only partially. There would be plenty of acid left in the solution. Expect two-sided arrows like ⇔ and two-sided harpoons like $\rightleftharpoons$ in the equation.

As seen in the bar chart, there are plenty of HA left after ionization. HA ionizes only partially. Also, the equation shows a two-sided arrow. As a result, HA is a weak acid.