Consider the Following Unfinished Table of Weak Acids with Their

Multiple Choice

Consider the following unfinished table of weak acids with their corresponding p K _a values and K _a values. Weak Acid p K _a K _a Benzoic acid 4.20 -- Lactic acid -- 1.4×10 ^{- 4} Chlorous acid 1.96 -- Arrange these three acids in order of increasing acid strength .

A) (weakest) Benzoic acid < Lactic acid < Chlorous acid (strongest)
B) (weakest) Benzoic acid < Chlorous acid < Lactic acid (strongest)
C) (weakest) Lactic acid < Benzoic acid < Chlorous acid (strongest)
D) (weakest) Lactic acid < Chlorous acid < Benzoic acid (strongest)
E) (weakest) Chlorous acid < Benzoic acid < Lactic acid (strongest)