Question

Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid. Acetic acid is a weak acid. Which statement about hydrochloric acid and acetic acid is correct?(1 point)
Responses

A solution of hydrochloric acid at equilibrium will have a greater concentration of solute than a solution of acetic acid at equilibrium.
A solution of hydrochloric acid at equilibrium will have a greater concentration of solute than a solution of acetic acid at equilibrium.

If the initial concentration of each acid is the same, then acetic acid will produce more H3O+ ions than hydrochloric acid.
If the initial concentration of each acid is the same, then acetic acid will produce more H sub 3 O + ions than hydrochloric acid.

The pH of a solution of hydrochloric acid must be less than the pH of a solution of acetic acid.
The pH of a solution of hydrochloric acid must be less than the pH of a solution of acetic acid.

The dissociation constant for hydrochloric acid is greater than the dissociation constant for acetic acid.
The dissociation constant for hydrochloric acid is greater than the dissociation constant for acetic acid.
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Answer 1

"The pH of a solution of hydrochloric acid must be less than the pH of a solution of acetic acid."

Reason: HCl is a strong acid and essentially fully dissociates to give H3O+; acetic acid is a weak acid and only partially dissociates. For the same initial concentration, HCl therefore produces a higher [H3O+] and so a lower pH than acetic acid.