Question

Why do $HCl$, ${H_2}S{O_4}$ , $HN{O_3}$ etc. show acidic character in aqueous solution while solutions of compounds like glucose $\left( {{C_6}{H_{12}}{O_6}} \right)$ and alcohol $\left( {{C_2}{H_5}OH} \right)$ do not show acidic character?

Answer 1

We have to know that acid is any substance which donates hydrogen ions whereas base is any substance which accepts a proton. Acids can be weak or strong depending upon the ability to donate a proton. Acid has a pH less than $7$ , base has a pH more than $7$ and neutral substance has a pH of $7$.

Complete answer:
We have to know that hydrochloric acid $\left( {HCl} \right)$ , sulfuric acid $\left( {{H_2}S{O_4}} \right)$ and nitric acid $\left( {HN{O_3}} \right)$ show acidic character in aqueous solution as they produce proton ${H^ + }$ when dissolved in water. The acidic character is shown by the presence of ${H^ + }$ ions in aqueous solution. These acids may vary in acidic strength but all of them will show acidic character in aqueous solution. Hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid are one of the strongest acids while nitric acid is a weak acid among them. Compounds like glucose and alcohol do not show acidic character as they do not ionize in water to produce hydrogen ions or any other ions in the solution. Compounds like glucose and ethanol do not accept electrons thus they are not considered to be acidic in nature. Glucose is a neutral compound; it is neither acidic nor basic; it has a pH value of seven. Alcohol does not dissociate in water to produce hydroxyl ions. When a solution becomes acidic its pH lowers down while for basic solution pH is higher than seven.

Note:
We have to know that when a substance is acidic or any solution is acidic it will donate hydrogen ions or release hydrogen ions and thereby show the acidic behavior. Alcohols and carbohydrates do not release any hydrogen ions thus it does not show acidic character.