SQA National 5 Chemistry Practice Exam

Carboxylic acids are characterized by having a pH that is less than 7 due to their acidic nature. This acidity arises from the carboxyl group (-COOH) present in these compounds, which can donate a proton (H+) to a solution. When carboxylic acids dissolve in water, they partially ionize, releasing hydrogen ions that contribute to lowering the pH of the solution.

In aqueous solutions, a pH lower than 7 indicates acidity, which is consistent with the behavior of carboxylic acids. The extent to which they dissociate can vary depending on the specific acid and its concentration, but generally, they will always result in a solution that is acidic, hence confirming that their pH is indeed less than 7.