Modified Arrhenius theory question?
using the modified Arrhenius theory, write a chemical reaction equation to explain the acidity of glycolic acid.
Arrhenius' theory. An acid is a substance that produces H^+ in solution.
HCl(aq) ==> H^+ + Cl^-
or if you want to use H3O^+, then the reaction
HCl + H2O ==> H3O^+ + Cl^-
Since HCl produces H^+ in solution (or more accurately H3O^+ in solution), HCl is an acid.
I saw this same question on Yahoo. I wonder if you posted it.
To explain the acidity of glycolic acid using the modified Arrhenius theory, we need to understand that the theory is based on the concept of acid-base reactions occurring due to the transfer of a proton (H+ ion) from the acid to the base.
Here is the chemical reaction equation showing the acidity of glycolic acid:
H-COOH ⇌ H+ + C2H3O2-
In this equation, glycolic acid (H-COOH) donates a proton (H+) to the water molecule, forming a hydronium ion (H3O+). The resulting acetate ion (C2H3O2-) acts as the conjugate base of glycolic acid.
To determine the acidity of glycolic acid, you can also look at its dissociation constant, known as the acid dissociation constant (Ka). This constant quantifies the degree to which an acid dissociates in solution.