Question

Differentiate between the following pairs based on the criteria given in the bracket:
(a) Acetic acid and Sulphuric acid (number of replaceable hydrogen ion per molecule)
(b) Electrolyte and Metallic conductor (the particles conducting electricity)

Hint:

In acetic acid, although there are four hydrogen atoms in total, only the one attached to the oxygen atom in the carboxyl group ((-COOH)) is ionizable!

Answer 1

(a) Acetic acid vs Sulphuric acid (number of replaceable hydrogen ions):

Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) is a monobasic acid.
It has only one replaceable hydrogen ion (H⁺) per molecule.

Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a dibasic acid.
It has two replaceable hydrogen ions (2H⁺) per molecule.

(b) Electrolyte vs Metallic conductor (particles conducting electricity):

In an electrolyte, electricity is conducted by the movement of ions (both cations and anions) in molten state or aqueous solution.

In a metallic conductor, electricity is conducted by the flow of free electrons within the metal lattice.

Final Answer:

(a)
Acetic acid → 1 replaceable H⁺ (monobasic)
Sulphuric acid → 2 replaceable H⁺ (dibasic)

(b)
Electrolyte → conduction by ions
Metallic conductor → conduction by free electrons