Reactive

Well now that too makes sense, CO2 from H2CO3 stays in a dissolved form in the aqueous solution. Therefore we can say that H2CO3 doesn't stay in its original form, which is supposed to donate H+ ions. It breaks down to give CO2 in water which is soluble. Hence, lesser the amount of intact H2CO3 lesser ions formed,which makes it a weak acid.. I guess I have understood it right? Well thanks for that reasoning.. It really helped!!

Well I am glad to read the reply by CaptainPanic as it sounded more logical than any!! Most of my doubts have been clarified..The structural representation was indeed a useful aid in understanding. I would remember the key line: "If electrons are drawn to the H more, it’s a weak acid. If they are drawn to the other atom, then it is a strong acid." I understood the role of electronegativity well, but a slight thing still bothers me : How can we apply the same explanation to H2SO4 and H2CO3, where the former is a strong acid and the latter a weak one? The answer to this last query would make the concept crystal clear! And for the previous one - I am thankful!! I guess my text presentation has improved by this post.. thanks again! This one's specially for Fswd - I already know the meaning of paragraph:rolleyes:, was just new to the forum so wrote the whole thng in one go!! Well u seem 2 b an old member.. but u cudn't get my ques right! U told me the strongest acid's name (in water)- H+ But I was looking for a way to differentiate different acids, not just one name!! Anyways thanks for your concern!! Below is a rewritten form of my previous ques, I have tried to put it in a more clear form! I feel it would be easier to understand now.. Please read on: We know that a strong acid has high Ka and a weak acid a low one! My ques was what effects the Ka? That is - if a weaker acid has it low then wat is it which makes it low? I mean if CH3COOH is weak wat makes it so? You must have heard about the different concepts which define acids and bases..Arrhenius, Lewis and Lowry-Bronstd. These define all types of acids and bases and mention the exceptions if any!! I was looking for similar kind of concept which would differentiate between the strength of any acid from the other acid. I got a suitable reply from CaptainPanic, I guess if You understood my ques now U cud give it a TRY!! Thanks for reading!

HeY! Look U said that we gotta consider the Ka for determining the strength of an acid or a base..Rite.. But thats wat exactly i wanna know, wat effects the Ka, if the weaker acids have it low then wat is it in them which causes this? I mean if CH3COOH is weak wat makes it so? For HF I know its the electronegative F atom which has a small size.. Smaller the size and lesser wud b the charge dispersion(which it gains from H+). Larger the size more wud b the charg dispersion like in HCl Hence the trend HF<HCl<HBr<HI.. And I also know more the number of O atoms stronger the acid is.. Like H2SO4>H2SO3.. But beyond this there has to be a way a clear cut one, which would give a base reasoning for comparison of any acid with any other, like we have the different concepts which define acids..Arrhenius, Lewis and Lowry-Bronstd. These define all types of acids and bases and mention the exceptions if any!! We say this is based on electronegativity. But how? How does it explain the weakness of H3PO4, H2CO3, H3O+, CH3COOH ; and the strength of H2SO4, HNO3,etc (Electronegativity of O,C,or P?). I guess I made my point clear now that I lookin for some fundamental theory which explains the strength of all acids and bases.. I just dont know where to look for it.. I think I hav written a pretty long thing Well I really need an answer to this..Or even if any of u thinks its kinda irrelevant thing im banging my head into, then also feel free to comment..thanks

I had read that we can compare the strengths of different oxyacids by counting the number of oxygen atoms borne by them, e.g.: HNO3 is stronger than HNO2, likewise H2SO4 is stronger than H2SO3. But what can we say about the comparison of HNO3 with H2SO4? Moreover, shoudn't H2CO3 be a strong acid as its also got 3 oxygen atoms? Kindly post in your explanations Im eagerly awaiting one.. (If one of you can give a fundamental approach to resolve most acid and base strengths, it would be highly appreciated)