question_answer 26)

    Which of the following gives the correct increasing order of acid strength?              (a) Water < acetic acid < hydrochloric acid                (b) Water < hydrochloric acid < acetic acid               (c) Acetic acid < water < hydrochloric acid               (d) Hydrochloric acid < water < acetic acid               

Answer:

  (a) Hydrochloric acid is a mineral acid and ionises completely in water, that's why it is a strong acid. Acetic acid is an organic acid and ionises only partially in water, hence, it is a weak acid. Water has some what neutral nature. Thus, the order of acidity is water < acetic acid < hydrochloric acid.