If the dissociation constants of two weak acids `HA_(1)` and `HA_(2)` are `K_(1)` and `K_(2)`, then the relative strengths of `HA_(1)` and `HA_(2)` are given by

Options

A. `sqrt(K_(2)//K_(1))`
B. `sqrt(K_(1)//K_(2))`
C. `K_(2)//K_(1)`
D. `K_(1)//K_(2)`

Answer

B

Explanation

We can compare the strengths of acids in terms of their degrees of ionization provided the acids are the same concentration.
`K_(1)=Calpha_(1)^(2)`
`K_(1)=Calpha_(2)^(2)`
Taking the ration, we get
`(K_(1))/(K_(2))=(alpha_(1)^(2))/(alpha_(2)^(2))`
or `(alpha_(1))/(alpha_(2))=sqrt(K_(1))/(K_(2))`
where the degres of ionization of two weak acids are `alpha_(1)` and `alpha_(2)` respectively.