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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: AFT on December 04, 2008, 05:39:53 PM

Title: % Ionization vs. Concentration of Strong Acid
Post by: AFT on December 04, 2008, 05:39:53 PM

I solved an assignment problem and I came to the conclusion that the % ionization of a strong acid decreases as the initial concentration of the ionized acid is increased. 

I don't fully understand why this is..?

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!

Title: Re: % Ionization vs. Concentration of Strong Acid
Post by: opuktun on December 25, 2008, 01:51:52 PM

We can think of this phenomenon at molecular level.

Let's consider the acid HA, which consists of H⁺ and A^-.

At low initial concentration, more water molecules are available for hydration of the H-A molecules, resulting in increasing ionization of the acid. But as we use more concentrated acid, the ionic interaction between the H⁺ and A^- dominates (due to number) over the possible hydration provided by water, henceforth, the ionization decreases.

Hope my explanation helps