Explain, why is hydrochloric acid a strong acid and acetic acid, a weak acid? How can it be verified?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a stronger acid than acetic acid (CH3COOH) because it dissociates completely into H+ and Cl– ions in aqueous solution. In order to verify this, add a few drops of universal indicator solution in the test tubes containing the acids. It acquires red colour in hydrochloric acid and yellow in acetic acid which confirms that hydrochloric acid is a stronger acid.
