J.11

[Bryce Ramirez 1J]

The question gives four pictures and asks "Which of the following images best represents a solution of hydrochloric acid?" The answer is the picture where there are just hydrogen and Cl atoms floating in a space, but not connected to each other. Why does this best represent a solution of hydrochloric acid?

[SMIYAZAKI_1B]

If I am not wrong, within water, acids releases hydrogen atoms. Therefore, as a result, the hydrochloric acid will split into hydrogen and chlorine atom which causes the diagram to be the most accurate picture.

[Justin Seok 2A]

Since HCl is a strong acid, the ions that make it up disassociate completely in water, so the image showing individual H+ and Cl- ions would be the most accurate. A weak acid, in contrast, would mostly show the acid in question floating around, with a few disassociated ions floating around, as weak acids don't disassociate too much in water.