AP Chemistry 8.6: Acid Strength and Structure

Practice AP Chemistry questions on identifying the proton most likely to participate in acid-base chemistry from a molecule’s structure.

Exam points

Explain how reaction rates depend on collisions, activation energy and molecular pathways.
Apply rate laws, catalysts and concentration data to predict reaction speed and reaction order.

[Maximum number: 1]

A student is studying the reaction between lactic acid, $\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ , and sodium hydroxide, NaOH, as represented in the balanced equation above.

The structural formula of lactic acid is shown in the following diagram. Circle the hydrogen atom that most readily participates in the chemical reaction with sodium hydroxide.

Figure for Question 8.6.A—Explain the relationship between the strength of an acid or base and the structure of the molecule or ion question 1 — AP Chemistry

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8.6.A—Explain the relationship between the strength of an acid or base and the structure of the molecule or ion question 1