CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Acids and bases · Acids and bases
Problem
When chlorine 'dissolves' in water, it actually forms a mixture of hydrochloric acid and chloric(I) acid. The formula for chloric(I) acid is HClO.
(a) Construct an equation for this reaction.
(b) Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, whereas chloric(I) acid is a weak acid.
(i) Explain what is meant by the terms *strong acid* and *weak acid*.
(ii) Describe three simple laboratory experiments that could be used to distinguish between solutions of equal concentration of a strong and a weak acid. Include the expected observations in your answer.
(c) Give equations to represent the dissociation of hydrochloric acid and chloric(I) acid into their ions, and identify the conjugate base of both acids.
(d) pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution. Explain why it would be incorrect to define it as describing the strength of an acid.