The p k a of acetic acid is 4.76, and the p k a of trichloroacetic acid, which is used to remove warts, is 0.7. calculate the dissociation constant of each acid. which is the stronger acid?

CH3COOH: Ka = 1.74 E-5

CCL3COOH: Ka = 0.1995

⇒ K CCl3COOH >> K CH3COOH ∧  pKCCl3COOH < pKCH3COOH;  the higher pKa the extent of the dissociation is less; therefore CCl3COOH is a stronger acid than CH3COOH

Explanation :

CH3COOH:

pKa = 4.76 = - Log Ka

⇒ Ka = 1.74 E-5

CCl3COOH:

∴ pKa = 0,7 = -log Ka

⇒ Ka = 0.1995

since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, as we move to the left on the periodic table, the electrostatic pull between the nucleus and the valence electron shell decreases. as we move down a group (vertical column), the valence shell energy level gets further and further from the nucleus.