Answer to Question #88026 in General Chemistry for AJ

Question

Why do we assume 100% ionization for acetic acid (a weak acid)? This is a titration problem. The titrant is sodium hydroxide.

Answer 1

Acetic acid IS, by all means, a weak acid. It does not ionize completely but only about 1% or so depending upon the concentration. My assumption about your question is that as acid is titrated with NaOH that the acid becomes weaker and weaker. At weaker concentrations it ionizes more than that and at the end has completely ionized.