An acid will only show its
acidic properties when it is dissolved in water.
Presence of water
Molecules in acids will ionize
to hydrogen ions
An acid will only show its
acidic properties when it is dissolved in water (the presences of hydrogen
ions)
Without the presence of
water
Cannot ionize to hydrogen
ions
No free moving hydrogen ions
Acids remain in the form of
molecules
Example: Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH
only exhibits acidic properties when water is present. It does not show acidic
properties in pure dry liquid state or in dry propanone. In pure dry liquid
state or in dry propanone, ethanoic acid, CH3COOH remains as
covalent molecules. No hydrogen ions are present, thus it does not exhibit
acidic properties. In aqueous state or when water is present, ethanoic acid, CH3COOH
solution ionizes partially to produce free mobile hydrogen ions. Hence, it
exhibits acidic properties. Water causes the molecules of CH3COOH to
ionize partially to produce free mobile hydrogen ions that give rise to the
acidic properties of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH.