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In an aqueous solution or water, a weak acid partially dissociates into its ions. When a strong acid is submerged in water, it entirely dissociates into its ions. The conjugate base of a weak acid is a weak base, and the conjugate acid of a weak acid is a weak acid. At the same concentration, weak acids have a higher pH than strong acids.
Weak acids can be found in the following examples
- Formic acid is a kind of formic acid (chemical formula: HCOOH)
- Acetic acid is a kind of acetic acid that (chemical formula: CH3COOH)
- Benzoic acid is a kind of carboxylic acid (chemical formula:C6H5COOH)
- Oxalic acid is a kind of oxalic acid (chemical formula:C2O4)
- Fluoric acid (HF) (chemical formula: HF)
- Acid nitrate (chemical formula:HNO2)
- Sulfuric acid (chemical formula:H2SO3)
- phosphoric acid is a kind of phosphoric acid (chemical formula:H3PO4)
Formic Acid
Formic acid, commonly known as methanoic acid, is one of the most basic carboxylic acids. HCOOH or CH2O2is the chemical formula for this molecule. Formic acid, a weak acid found naturally in the bodies of some ants, is an excellent example. Formic acid exists as a colourless liquid at typical temperature and pressure settings (which sometimes evolves fumes) (which sometimes evolves fumes). In its liquid state, formic acid has a pungent odour that is powerful and pervasive. The density of this substance is 1.22 grams per milliliter. The melting point of formic acid is 8.4 degrees Celsius, and the boiling point is 100.8 degrees Celsius. This weak acid is known to be water miscible.
Acetic Acid
Acetic acid, commonly known as ethanoic acid, is a weak acid having the formula CH3COOH in its chemical formula. It’s the active ingredient of vinegar, which is an acetic acid solution in water with a concentration of 4–7%. When dissolved in water, acetic acid only partially dissociates into its constituent ions, making it a weak acid. It’s worth noting, too, that concentrated acetic acid is known to corrode human skin. The molar mass of acetic acid is 60.052 grams per mole. Under typical temperature and pressure settings, this weak acid exists as a colourless liquid with a strong, vinegar-like odour. When liquid, acetic acid has a density of 1.049 grams per cubic centimetre.
Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid (C2H2O4) is a weak acid having the molecular formula C2H2O4. This organic compound is known to exist as a crystalline solid with a white colour at typical temperature and pressure conditions. Oxalic acid is one of the most basic dicarboxylic acids. HOOC-COOH is the abbreviated formula for this chemical. It should be noted, however, that this compound’s acidity is significantly higher than acetic acid’s.
Sulfuric Acid
Sulphurous acid is also known as sulphur dioxide solution, dihydrogen trioxosulfate, or trioxosulfuric acid. It plays a role in the generation of acid rain from sulphur dioxide as an intermediate species (SO2). It functions as a disinfectant and a reducing agent. It has a strong, pungent odour and is clear and colourless. The density of this acid is 1.03 g/cm3. The molecular weight of this acid is 82.07 g/mol. The boiling point of this acid is -60°C.
Acid Phosphoric
Phosphoric acid is utilised in a variety of sectors, the most notable of which is fertiliser manufacture. Phosphates are the acid’s salts, which are commonly utilised in agriculture and even at home. It’s also called orthophosphoric acid, which separates it from polyphosphoric acid and other phosphoric acids. This acid is non-toxic and solid at room temperature in its pure form. It has a molar mass of 97.99 g/mol. The boiling point of this acid is 407 degrees Celsius. The melting point of this acid is approximately 42.4 °C. The density of this acid is 2.030 g.cm-3.
Acids are divided into four categories
Acids are categorised as follows based on the constituents present.
Oxyacid
Oxyacids are acids that include both hydrogen and oxygen. Nitric acid (HNO3), sulphuric acid (H2SO4), and phosphoric acid (H2PO4) are examples (H3PO4).
Hydracid
Hydracids are acids that contain hydrogen and other nonmetallic elements (s) other than oxygen. Hydracids include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and hydrocyanic acid (HCN).
Acids can also be categorised as follows:
Organic acids and inorganic acids are two types of acids.
Acids that are concentrated and acids that are dilute
Acids, both strong and weak
We examined the definition and classification of weak acids in this topic. Let’s look at some examples of weak acids:
Acetic acid is a kind of acetic acid that (CHCOOH)
Formic acid is a kind of formic acid (HCOOH)
Oxalic acid is a kind of oxalic acid (C2H2O4)
Fluoric acid (HF) (HF)
Acid nitrate (HNO2)
Sulfuric acid (H2SO3)
phosphoric acid is a kind of phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
Benzoic acid is a kind of carboxylic acid (C6H5COOH)
Acetic acid
The weak acid acetic acid, sometimes known as ethanoic acid, has the chemical formula CH3COOH. When dissolved in water, it only partially dissociates into its constituent ions, making it a weak acid. Acetic acid is a colourless liquid with a pungent, vinegar-like odour.
This acid has a molar mass of 60.052 grams per mole.
The boiling point of acid is between 118 and 110 degrees Celsius.
Acetic acid has a density of 1.049 grams per cubic centimetre.
Acid has a melting point of 16 to 17 degrees Celsius.
Hydrofluoric Acid (HFA)
It has the chemical formula HF and is a weak acid. Humans are poisoned by hydrofluoric acid, which can cause severe burns if they come into contact with it directly on their skin.
This acid has a molar mass of 20.0063 grams per mole.
This acid has a melting point of roughly -83.55 °C.
The boiling point of this acid is around 19.5 °C.
This acid has a density of 1.15 g/mL.
Sulfuric Acid
Sulphur dioxide solution, dihydrogen trioxide sulphate, or trioxosulfuric acid are all names for sulfuric acid. It plays a role in the production of acid rain from sulphur dioxide as an intermediate species (SO2). It functions as a reducing agent and it’s also a disinfectant. It’s a clear liquid with a strong pungent smell.
This acid has a density of 1.03 g/cm3.
This acid has a molecular weight of 82.07 g/mol.
This acid has a boiling point of -60°C.
Chemical Formula= H2SO4
Phosphoric Acid (PHOSPHORIC ACID)
Phosphoric acid is utilised in a variety of sectors, including the production of fertilisers. Phosphates, which are salts of this acid, are mostly employed in agriculture and even at home.
The molar mass of this substance is 97.99 g/mol.
This acid has a boiling point of 407 degrees Celsius.
This acid has a melting point of 42.4 degrees Celsius.
This acid has a density of 2.030 g.cm-3.
Chemical Formula=H3PO4
Weak Acids Ionization
An arrow pointing from left to right is the reaction sign for a strong acid ionising in water. The reaction arrow for a weak acid ionising in water, on the other hand, is a double arrow, showing that both the forward and reverse processes are in equilibrium. The weak acid, its conjugate base, and the hydrogen ion are all present in the aqueous solution at equilibrium circumstances. HA H+ + A is the usual version of the ionisation process.
The acid dissociation constant is the concentration ratio for both sides that is constant under set analytical circumstances (Ka). The following equation is used to define Ka:
Ka=[H+][A−][HA]
The concentration of each component is indicated by the square brackets above. Ka expresses how quickly the acid releases a proton based on the above equation (or in other words, its strength as an acid). Furthermore, the equation depicts how the dissociation state of weak acids varies with the concentration of H+ in the solution.
The Ka constant of carboxylic acids (those with -COOH as a functional group), such as acetic and lactic acids, ranges from 10-3 to 10-6. It’s not easy to express acidity just in terms of the Ka constant.
As a result, the pKa index was created to express the acidity of weak acids, and pKa is defined as follows.
pKa = -log10ka
The stronger the acid, the lower the pKa value. For example, lactic acid has a pKa of 3.8, indicating that it is a stronger acid than acetic acid.
Some Common Acids’ Applications:
Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)
It’s known as the “King of Chemicals.” The following are some of its most important applications:
It’s used to make paintings, pharmaceuticals, and dyes, as well as fertilisers.
It’s found in automobile batteries.
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) is a kind of hydrochloric acid
Sinks and sanitary ware are also cleaned with it.
It’s employed in a variety of sectors that use heating.
it is used to clean the deposits out of the boilers.
Acetic acid
It’s utilised in cleaning products like windows, floors, and cutlery, among other things.
It’s used to improve the flavour of meals. Vinegar is a frequent name for acetic acid.
This acid aids in the removal of stains from woodwork, furniture, and carpets.
Phosphoric Acid (PHOSPHORIC ACID)
Fertilizer and detergent manufacturers use it.
Many soft drinks have it as a primary ingredient.
Citric Acid (Citric Acid)
It’s a preservative for food.
It’s a flavour enhancer.
Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C)
It’s generally utilised in the treatment of scurvy and bone marrow disorders.
Boric Acid
It’s a common ingredient in detergents.
Glass, leather, paper, glue, and explosives are all made from it.
Conclusion
Weak acids can only be partially ionised in their solutions, but strong acids can be fully ionised when dissolved in water. In comparison to strong acids, weak acids are more routinely used. They can be found in everyday items such as vinegar (acetic acid) and lemon juice (citric acid). When they’re dissolved in water, the concentration of the weak acid and its constituent ions reach a point of equilibrium.
