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Topic: % Ionization vs. Concentration of Strong Acid  (Read 2951 times)

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Offline AFT

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% Ionization vs. Concentration of Strong Acid
« 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!!

Offline opuktun

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Re: % Ionization vs. Concentration of Strong Acid
« Reply #1 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

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