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How is percent dissociation defined?
The total amount of acid in a solution.
The concentration of undissociated acid in a solution.
The ratio of dissociated to initial concentration, multiplied by 100.
The strength of the acid in relation to water.
The correct answer is: The ratio of dissociated to initial concentration, multiplied by 100.
Percent dissociation is defined as the ratio of the amount of acid that dissociates (ionizes) in solution to the initial concentration of that acid before dissociation, expressed as a percentage. This concept is crucial in understanding how completely an acid dissociates in solution, which is a key factor in determining its acidity. In mathematical terms, if you have an initial concentration of an acid and you measure how much of that acid has dissociated into its ions, percent dissociation can be calculated using the formula: \[ \text{Percent Dissociation} = \left( \frac{\text{Amount of acid dissociated}}{\text{Initial concentration of acid}} \right) \times 100 \] This definition helps chemists assess the strength of an acid based on how much of it ionizes in a given solution. A higher percent dissociation means a stronger acid in that particular environment, while a lower value indicates weak acid behavior. Other choices do not accurately represent percent dissociation. The total amount of acid in a solution does not account for dissociation, and the concentration of undissociated acid only tells part of the story without any relationship to the initial concentration. Furthermore, relating strength to water doesn’t provide a quantitative measure of