Question

How does acetic acid differ from hydrochloric acid in degree of conductivity, and why?

Answer 1

see explanation.

Explanation:

For a solution to be a good conductive is when it contains a high number of ions that will serve as electrons shuttles from one electrode to another.

Having said that, solutions that can produce a high number of ions in solutions will be highly conductive solutions and they are called strong electrolytes.

Hydrochloric acid `HCl` is a strong acid because it is a strong electrolyte and it is considered that will completely dissociate in water to produce a high number of ions `H^+` and `Cl^-`.

However, acetic acid `HC_2H_3O_2` is a weak acid and will partially dissociate in water producing a small number of ions `H^+` and `C_2H_3O_2^-`. Acetic acid is a weak electrolyte.

Images source: Zumdahl textbook.