Strength and Ionisation

The Acidic Environment‎ > ‎3. Acids‎ >

Compare the relative strengths of equal concentrations of citric, acetic and hydrochloric acids and explain in terms of the degree of ionisation of their molecules

  • For weak acids, HA is defined as stronger than HB if:
  • The relative strengths of hydrochloric, citric and acetic acids are as follows:
    • Hydrochloric acid is strong.
    • Citric acid is weak.
    • Acetic acid is weaker.
  • The degree of ionisation of hydrochloric, citric and acetic acids are as follows:
    • Hydrochloric acid is 100% ionised in solution.
    • Citric acid is 8.6% ionised in solution.
    • Acetic acid is 1.3% ionised in solution.