University of Central Florida (UCF) CHM2045C Chemistry Fundamentals I Practice Exam 1

Acids do not have an overall charge, which makes the answer "No, they do not have a charge" correct. While acids can dissociate in solution to produce positively charged hydrogen ions (H⁺), the acid molecules themselves are typically neutral species. For example, when hydrochloric acid (HCl) is dissolved in water, HCl ionizes to form H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, but the HCl molecule itself is uncharged.

It's essential to understand that the properties of acids involve their behavior in reactions rather than an inherent charge. The neutral state of an acid molecule and its capacity to donate protons defines its acidic behavior. Therefore, while they can generate positive ions when they dissociate, the acids themselves are neutral prior to dissociation. This concept is fundamental in understanding acid-base chemistry and the nature of acids in chemical reactions.