The Acidic Environment > 3. Acids >
Use available evidence to model the molecular nature of acids and simulate the ionisation of strong and weak acids
- The complete ionisation of a strong acid can be modelled using the following procedure:
- Use molecular model kits to construct four hydrogen chloride molecules and four water molecules, ensuring that the oxygen atom in water has three attachment points.
- Remove a hydrogen atom from each hydrogen chloride molecule and attach each one to a water molecule.
- This forms four chloride ions and four hydronium ions, leaving no neutral acid molecules.
- The partial ionisation of a weak acid can be modelled using the following procedure:
- Use molecular model kits to construct four acetic acid molecules and four water molecules.
- Remove a hydrogen atom from one acetic acid molecules and attach it to one water molecule.
- This forms one acetic acid ion and one hydronium ion, leaving three neutral acid molecules.
Model of acetic acid