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CBSE Class 10 Science Question 20 of 34

Acids, Bases and Salts — Question 1

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Question 1

Why do HCl, HNO3, etc., show acidic characters in aqueous solutions while solutions of compounds like alcohol and glucose do not show acidic character?

Answer

HCl and HNO3 show acidic character because they ionise in aqueous solution to form hydronium ions (H3O+).

Ionisation of HCl in water:

HCl ⟶ H+ + Cl-

H+ + H2O ⟶ H3O+

Ionisation of HNO3 in water:

HNO3 ⟶ H+ + NO3-

H+ + H2O ⟶ H3O+

C2H5OH (Ethanol) and C6H12O6 (Glucose) are covalent compounds. They do not ionise in water to form hydronium ions [H3O+]. Hence, they don't show acidic character.