Question

Why do HCl, HNO₃, etc. show acidic character in aqueous solutions while solutions of compounds like C₂H₅OH and glucose do not show acidic character?

Answer 1

HCl, HNO₃, etc., ionise in the aqueous solution to produce H+ ions. Hence, they show acidic character. Compounds like C₂H₅OH and glucose do not ionise in the aqueous solution to give H⁺ ions, i.e., hydrogen present in them is non-ionisable. Hence, they do not show acidic character.