Strength of Acids and Bases [ENDORSED]

[RahilVaknalliDis3A]

Why does the number of O atoms in an oxyacid affect its strength? Why is acetic acid weaker than formic acid?

[Chem_Mod]

The more oxygen atoms that are in an oxyacid, the more atoms there are to spread the charge across. Additionally, this makes the compound more electronegative, so both of these make more oxidized compounds stronger acids. Formic acid is stronger than acetic acid because it can better stabilize a negative charge. The methyl group in acetic acid is electron donating, and therefore makes extra electrons harder to stabilize in the anion.

[RahilVaknalliDis3A]

Why can formic acid better stabilize the negative charge? What does it mean for the methyl group to be electron donating?

[Jessica Jones 2B]

I understand the ways to determine acid strength (size of atoms,number of oxygens, electronegativity) but how do you determine the strength of a base?

[Amy Zheng 2l]

more O causes the electrons to be further away from the H, thus making it easier to break off from the compound.

[Jordan Foster]

Anything that makes Hydrogen easier to remove will make for a stronger acid. More oxygen atoms pull electrons away from the hydrogen, which makes it easier to remove the hydrogen.