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Extract:

NursesPath | acidic substances

Using the following image, what substance is most likely a weak acid?

  1. A
    Antacid
  2. B
    Borax
  3. C
    Milk
  4. D
    Salmon

Topic Flashcards

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Question

According to the analysis, which of the listed substances is classified as a base, not an acid?

Answer

Antacid and Borax. Antacids are medicinal bases (pH ~9-10), and Borax (sodium borate) forms a basic solution (pH ~9.2).

Question

What is the typical pH range for salmon, and why does this qualify it as a weak acid?

Answer

Approximately 6.0-6.2. A pH below 7 is acidic, and this range indicates a moderate, not extreme, acidity, which is the definition of a weak acid (partial dissociation in water).

Question

Why is milk considered only a very weak acid compared to salmon in this context?

Answer

Milk has a pH of about 6.5-6.7, which is only slightly below neutral (7). Salmon's pH (6.0-6.2) is distinctly more acidic, making it a clearer example.

Question

What chemical characteristic defines a "weak acid" as opposed to a strong acid or a base?

Answer

A weak acid only partially dissociates (ionizes) in water, producing a moderately acidic solution (pH typically between ~4 and 7).

Question

What is the primary reason antacids are not acidic?

Answer

Their function is to neutralize acid. They contain basic compounds (like magnesium hydroxide) that react with and neutralize stomach acid (HCl), resulting in a pH well above 7.

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