what is the written answer for this?

Question

What happens when hydrochloric acid ($HCl$) is added to the solution? Do the relative concentrations of $H^{+}$, $C{H}_{3}COOH$, or $C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{-}$ change?

Answer 1

Hello, Emma,

After posting my comment, I decided to take a guess at what is in your solution, and the reason for the question.

CH₃COOH, acetic acid, is a weak acid. When dissolved in water, it will partially ionize:

CH₃COOH + H₂O = CH₃COO^- + H₃O⁺

The extent to which it forms these ions is given by it's equilibrium constant. Only some of the H⁺ ions leave the acid, most stick around on the organic acid. HCl is a strong acid. It dissociates completely into H⁺ and Cl^- ions.

When HCL is added tothe weaker acetic acid, the extra hydrogen ions will force more of the intact CH₃COOH to form. That will redce the concentration of CH₃COO^- ions.

I'm just guessing that this is the question/problem. Hopefully it will help.

Bob