Nitric acid is a strong acid. Does this mean that
a) HNO3 dissociates completely to H+ (aq) and NO3 ^1- (aq) when it dissolves in water
OR
b) aqueous solutions of HNO3 contain equal concentrations of H+(aq) and OH-
(aq)
Thank you!
Answered below.
To determine whether nitric acid (HNO3) is a strong acid, we need to look at its behavior when it dissolves in water.
A strong acid is one that completely dissociates into its ions (H+ and an anion) when dissolved in water.
To answer your question:
a) HNO3 dissociates completely to H+ (aq) and NO3 ^1- (aq) when it dissolves in water - This statement is correct. Nitric acid is indeed a strong acid, and when it dissolves in water, it completely dissociates into H+ (aq) and NO3- (aq) ions. This means that all of the nitric acid molecules break apart into these ions.
b) Aqueous solutions of HNO3 contain equal concentrations of H+ (aq) and OH- (aq) - This statement is incorrect. A strong acid like nitric acid releases H+ ions, and the presence of these H+ ions means that the concentration of H+ (aq) is higher than that of OH- (aq) in the solution. So, the concentration of H+ is greater than the concentration of OH- in an aqueous solution of nitric acid.
In summary, the correct answer is (a) HNO3 dissociates completely to H+ (aq) and NO3- (aq) when it dissolves in water.