Why is ethanoic acid a weak acid?
A. Because it reacts slowly with bases
B. Because it forms a basic solution when dissolved in water
C. Because it only partially dissociates in solution
D. Because it has a low pH value
Rationale for each choice:
A) Because it reacts slowly with bases: The rate of reaction with bases does not determine whether an acid is weak or strong. Ethanoic acid's reaction rate with bases is not a primary factor in its classification as a weak acid.
B) Because it forms a basic solution when dissolved in water: This statement is incorrect. Ethanoic acid is an acid and forms acidic solutions when dissolved in water.
C) Because it only partially dissociates in solution (Correct Answer): Ethanoic acid is considered a weak acid because it only partially dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and acetate ions (CH3COO-) in solution. This partial dissociation results in a lower concentration of hydrogen ions compared to strong acids.
D) Because it has a low pH value: While weak acids generally have higher pH values compared to strong acids, the pH value alone does not determine whether an acid is weak or strong. Ethanoic acid's weak acidity is primarily attributed to its partial dissociation in solution, rather than its pH value.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.