Chapter 6, Problem 6C.21E

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

An explanation for the different strengths of acetic acid and trichloroacetic acid has to be suggested.

Concept Introduction:

The strength of proton donating of an acid is called acidity constant and also the acidity constant is said to be as their negative logarithms and which can be represented as follows,

    ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}\text{=}{\text{-logK}}_{\text{a}}$

When looking for the strength of acids the following points should be noted,

• Weak acid always have the smaller value of ${\text{K}}_{\text{a}}$ and has greater value of ${\text{pK}}_{\text{a}}\text{.}$

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

An explanation for the different strengths of acetic acid and formic acid has to be suggested.

Concept Introduction:

Refer to part (a).