One of these pictures represents a solution of HCl and one represents a solution of H 2 SO 4 . Which is which? a.
b.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formulas of the two acids: HCl and H2SO4.
2. Determine the dissociation of each acid in water: HCl dissociates into H+ and Cl- ions, while H2SO4 dissociates into 2H+ and SO4^2- ions.
3. Count the number of cations and anions in each image: Image (a) has an equal number of cations and anions, while Image (b) has more cations than anions.
4. Relate the dissociation of each acid to the images: HCl, which produces equal numbers of H+ and Cl- ions, corresponds to the image with equal cations and anions.
5. Conclude that Image (a) represents the HCl solution and Image (b) represents the H2SO4 solution, based on the ion counts.

Key Concepts

Strong Acids

Strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), completely dissociate in water to produce ions. HCl dissociates into H+ and Cl- ions, while H2SO4 dissociates into two H+ ions and one SO4^2- ion. Understanding the degree of dissociation is crucial for identifying the acid based on the concentration of ions in solution.

Ion Concentration

The concentration of ions in a solution is a key factor in distinguishing between different acids. H2SO4 produces more H+ ions compared to HCl when dissolved in water, leading to a higher overall ion concentration. Analyzing the number of cations and anions in the provided diagrams can help determine which solution corresponds to each acid.

Chemical Representation

Chemical representations, such as diagrams showing cations and anions, provide visual insight into the composition of a solution. In the context of the question, recognizing the arrangement and quantity of blue (cations) and red (anions) spheres in the images can indicate whether the solution is HCl or H2SO4, based on their respective dissociation patterns.