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Chemistry

HCl, HNO3, C2H5OH, C6H12O6 all contain H atoms but only HCl and HNO3 show acidic character. Why?

Acids Bases Salts

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Answer

HCl and HNO3 show acidic character because they ionise in aqueous solution.

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. Their H atoms do not ionise in water to form hydronium ions [H3O+]. Hence, they don't show acidic character.

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