Why does a base react faster with nitric acid than with acetic acid?

The reason a base reacts faster with nitric acid than with acetic acid is due to the strength of the acids involved. Nitric acid is a strong acid, while acetic acid is a weak acid. This difference in strength affects the speed at which the reaction occurs.

Strong Acid vs. Weak Acid

Nitric acid is considered a strong acid because it completely dissociates into ions when placed in water. This means that all of the nitric acid molecules break apart into hydrogen ions and nitrate ions. On the other hand, acetic acid is a weak acid because only a small percentage of its molecules dissociate into ions when in solution.

Reaction Rate

When a base reacts with an acid, it essentially involves the transfer of protons from the acid to the base. Since nitric acid is a strong acid, it readily donates protons to the base, leading to a faster reaction. In contrast, acetic acid, being a weak acid, has fewer protons available for donation, resulting in a slower reaction with the base.

Therefore, the statement that best explains why a base reacts faster with nitric acid than with acetic acid is that nitric acid is a strong acid, and acetic acid is a weak acid.