Explain why ethanoic acid and hydrochloric acid of the same concentrations would give different pH readings

Ethanoic acid and hydrochloric acid are two different types of acids, and even though they might have the same concentration, their pH readings can be different. This is because the pH of an acid solution depends not only on the concentration of H+ ions, but also on the strength of the acid.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid that completely dissociates in water to form H+ and Cl- ions. Therefore, it produces a higher concentration of H+ ions in solution and has a lower pH compared to an equivalent concentration of ethanoic acid (CH3COOH), which is a weak acid that only partially dissociates in water.

In other words, even if the concentrations of both acids are the same, the hydrochloric acid will have a lower pH than the ethanoic acid due to its stronger acidity and higher concentration of H+ ions in solution.

Why would ethanoic acid and hydrochloric acid of the same concentrations give different pH readings?

Ethanoic acid is a weaker acid compared to hydrochloric acid, which means that it dissociates less in water. This results in a lower concentration of H+ ions and a higher pH reading.

What is acid strength, and how does it affect pH?

Acid strength refers to the extent of acid dissociation in water. Strong acids dissociate completely and produce a high concentration of H+ ions, resulting in a lower pH. Weak acids dissociate partially, producing a lower concentration of H+ ions and a higher pH.

Can pH be used to determine acid strength?

Yes, pH can be used to determine acid strength. The lower the pH, the stronger the acid. The higher the pH, the weaker the acid.

What is the dissociation process of acids?

The dissociation process of acids involves the breaking of covalent bonds between hydrogen and the rest of the molecule in water. This results in the release of H+ ions into the solution, which contribute to acidity. The extent of dissociation determines the strength of the acid.

How can you measure the pH of a solution?

The pH of a solution can be measured using a pH meter or pH indicator paper. The pH scale ranges from 0-14, with lower numbers indicating more acidic solutions, higher numbers indicating more basic solutions, and 7 being neutral.

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AQA 3.1.1 Atomic structure

Ionisation Energies (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Electron Arrangement (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Electrons in Atoms (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Mass Spectrometry (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Element Isotopes (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Atomic and Mass Number (A-Level Chemistry)

Atomic Structure – Subatomic Particles (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Le Chatelier’s Principle in Gas Equilibria (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Gas Equilibria and Kp (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogeneous System – Changing Kp (A-Level Chemistry)

Equilibrium Constant for Homogenous Systems – Gas Partial Pressures (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells

Acids and Bases – Drawing pH Curves (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Acid-Base Indicators (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Dilutions and pH (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Commercial Applications of Fuel Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Electrochemical Cells Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Representing Electrochemical Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Electrode Potentials (A-Level Chemistry)

Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells – Half Cells and Full Cells (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.12 Acids and bases

Acids and Bases – Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Buffer Action (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – pH of Strong Bases (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Ionic Product of Water (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – More Ka Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The Acid Dissociation Constant, Ka (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The pH Scale and Strong Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Neutralisation Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – Acid and Base Strength (A-Level Chemistry)

Acids and Bases – The Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Theory (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.2 Amount of substance

Amount of Substance – Percentage Atom Economy (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Calculating Percentage Yields (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Stoichiometric Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Balancing Chemical Equations (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Empirical and Molecular Formulae (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Further Mole Calculations (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance- The Mole and The Avogadro Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – Measuring Relative Masses (A-Level Chemistry)

Amount of Substance – The Ideal Gas Equation (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.3 Bonding

Periodicity – Classification (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Hydrogen Bonding in Water (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Forces Between Molecules (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Bond Polarity (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Molecular Shapes (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Predicting Structures (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Carbon Allotropes (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Metallic Bonding (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Properties of Covalent Structures (A-Level Chemistry)

Bonding – Covalent Bonds (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.4 Energetics

AQA 3.1.5 Kinetics

Kinetics – The Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution and Catalysts (A-Level Chemistry)

Kinetics – The Collision Theory and Reaction Rates (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.6 Chemical equilibria

Calculations with Equilibrium Constants (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria applied to Industry (A-Level Chemistry)

Chemical Equilibria and Le Chatelier’s Principle (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Balancing Redox Equations (A-Level Chemistry)

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Redox Processes (A-Level Chemistry)

Oxidation, Reduction and Redox Equations – Oxidation States (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.8 Thermodynamics

Thermodynamic – Calculations involving Free Energy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Gibbs Free Energy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Entropy Change Predictions (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Total Entropy Changes (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Introduction to Entropy (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Calculating Enthalpy Changes of Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Enthalpy of Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Enthalpy of Hydration (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Calculations involving Born-Haber Cycles (A-Level Chemistry)

Thermodynamic – Construction of Born-Haber Cycles (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.1.9 Rate equations

Rate Equations – Reaction Determining Steps (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Reaction Half Lives (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Uses of Clock Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Determining Orders of Reactions Graphically (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Determining Order of Reaction Experimentally (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Temperature Changes and the Rate Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – The Rate Constant (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Introduction to Orders of Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – The Rate Equation (A-Level Chemistry)

Rate Equations – Measuring Rate of Reaction (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.2.1 Periodicity

Periodicity – Trends Along Period 3 (A-Level Chemistry)

Periodicity – Classification (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals

Uses of Group 2 Elements and their Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Reactions of Group 2 Elements (A-Level Chemistry)

Group 2, The Alkaline Earth Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

Ionisation Energies (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens

The Halogens -Halide Ions and their Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Disproportionation Reactions in Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Reactions with Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

The Halogens – Group 7, The Halogens (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.2.4 Properties of Period 3 elements

Properties of Period 3 Elements – Properties of Period 3 Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Properties of Period 3 Elements – Reactivity of Period 3 Elements (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.2.5 Transition metals

Transition Metals – Autocatalysis of Transition Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Transition Metals as Homogeneous Catalysts (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Transition Metals as Heterogeneous Catalysts (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Examples of Redox Reactions in Transition Metals (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Iodine-Sodium Thiosulfate Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Carrying Titrations with Potassium Permanganate (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Titrations (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Potentials (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Redox Reactions Revisited (A-Level Chemistry)

Transition Metals – Ligand Substitution Reactions (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solutions – Metal Ions in Solution (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Structural Isomers (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – E/Z Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – General Formulae (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Introduction to Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – Naming and Representing Organic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry

Aromatic Chemistry – Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Alkylation (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Halogenation Reactions in Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Electrophilic Substitution Reactions in Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Improved Benzene Model (A-Level Chemistry)

Aromatic Chemistry – Introduction to Benzene (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.11 Amines

Amines – Nitriles (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Properties and Reactivity of Amines (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Amine Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Amines – Introduction to Amines (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.12 Polymers

Polymer Disposal (A-Level Chemistry)

Polymer Biodegradability (A-Level Chemistry)

Condensation Polymers (A-Level Chemistry)

Polyamide Formation (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.13 Amino acids

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – DNA Replication (A-Level Chemistry)

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – DNA (A-Level Chemistry)

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – Enzyme Action (A-Level Chemistry)

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – Structure of Proteins (A-Level Chemistry)

Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA – Structure of Amino Acids (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.14 Organic synthesis

Organic Synthesis – Considerations in Organic Synthesis (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aromatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Synthesis – Organic Synthesis: Aliphatic Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.15 NMR

Analytical Techniques – High Resolution ¹H NMR (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Types of NMR: Hydrogen (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Types of NMR: Carbon 13 (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – NMR Samples and Standards (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.16 Chromatography

Analytical Techniques – Different Types of Chromatography (A-Level Chemistry)

Analytical Techniques – Chromatography (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.2 Alkanes

Alkanes – Obtaining Alkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Alkanes – Alkanes: Properties and Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes

Halogenoalkanes – Environmental Impact of Halogenalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Halogenoalkanes – Reactivity of Halogenoalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

Halogenoalkanes – Introduction to Halogenoalkanes (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.4 Alkenes

Alkenes – Addition Polymerisation in Alkenes (A-Level Chemistry)

Alkenes – Alkene Structure and Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

Introduction to Organic Chemistry – E/Z Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.5 Alcohols

Alcohols – Industrial Production of Alcohols (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Alcohol Reactivity (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Alcohol oxidation (A-Level Chemistry)

Alcohols – Introduction to Alcohols (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.6 Organic analysis

Organic Analysis – Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy (A-Level Chemistry)

Organic Analysis – Identification of Functional Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.7 Optical isomerism

Optical Isomerism (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactions to Increase Carbon Chain Length (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Testing for Carbonyl Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Reactivity of Carbonyl Compunds (A-Level Chemistry)

Aldehydes and Ketones – Carbonyl Compounds (A-Level Chemistry)

AQA 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Structure of Amides (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Acyl Groups (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Esters (A-Level Chemistry)

Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives – Properties and Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids (A-Level Chemistry)