The acids HC₂H₃O₂ and HF are both weak, but HF is a stronger acid than HC₂H₃O₂. HCl is a strong acid. Order the following according to base strength. A) Cl^- F^- C₂H₃O₂^- H₂O B) C₂H₃O₂^- F^- H₂O Cl^- C) C₂H₃O₂^- F^- Cl^- H₂O D) F^- C₂H₃O₂^- H₂O Cl^- E) none of these

Question

The acids HC₂H₃O₂ and HF are both weak, but HF is a stronger acid than HC₂H₃O₂. HCl is a strong acid. Order the following according to base strength. A) Cl^- > F^- > C₂H₃O₂^- > H₂O B) C₂H₃O₂^- > F^- > H₂O > Cl^- C) C₂H₃O₂^- > F^- > Cl^- > H₂O D) F^- > C₂H₃O₂^- > H₂O > Cl^- E) none of these

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strength of a base is inversely proportional to the strength of its conjugate acid. Since HCl is a strong acid, its conjugate base, Cl-, is very weak. The other three species are all weak acids, so their conjugate bases will be stronger. In addition, the stronger the acid, the weaker its conjugate base. Therefore, the order of base strength will be: H₂O > C₂H₃O₂^- > F^- > Cl^-

The Acids HC2H3O2 and HF Are Both Weak, but HF

The Acids HC₂H₃O₂ and HF Are Both Weak, but HF