2006-12-18 20:53:55 · 9 answers · asked by rambabu26 d 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
A strong acid is an acid that completely ionizes in water to give hydrogen ions, which gives it its acidic properties. An example of strong acids is hydrochloric acid (HCl). When hydrogen chloride gas is dissolved in water, the solution contains mainly. hygrogen ions, chloride ions and water molecules.
A weak acid is an acid that only partially ionizes in water to give hydrogen ions. An example is ethanoic acid (CH3COOH). When ethanoic acid molecules are dissolved in water, the solution contains hydrogen ions, ethanoate ions water molecules AND some ethanoic acid molecules. It doesn't ionize completely in water, so it's a weak acid.
A similar thing applies to alkalis. A strong alkali is an alkali that completely ionizes in water to give hydroxide ions, which gives it its alkaline properties. An example of strong alkalis is sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH). A weak alkali is an alkali that partially ionizes in water to give hydroxide ions. An example of strong alkalis is sodium ammonium solution (NH3 + H2O--> NH4+ + OH-).
2006-12-18 21:20:34 · answer #1 · answered by formystudies3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compounds are ionic in nature (Arrhenius Theory).
In an aqueous solution (solvent is water), the ions are dissociated. The stronger the ionization the stronger the acid or the base. Two major properties to consider are pH and dissociation constant.
1) The lower the pH the stronger the acid. Conversely, the higher the pH the stronger the base.
2) The higher the dissociation constant the stronger the acid or the base.
You can find these constants in any Chemistry Handbook.
Examples of weak and strong acids:
Acetic Acid (organic) and Hydrochloric Acid (inorganic)
Examples of weak and strong bases:
Sodium Carbonate (non-OH radical) and Sodium Hydroxide (with OH radical)
General statement:
(1) In an aqueous solution, organic acids are only slightly dissociated while inorganic acids are highly dissociated.
(2) In an aqueous solution, bases with a hydroxyl radical are strongly dissociated.
(3) The strongest acids are formed by the Halogen "family."
(4) The strongest bases are formed by Alkali and Alkali-Earth Metals.
Keyword to remember: DISSOCIATION (Caution: NOT solubility)
2006-12-19 06:06:43 · answer #2 · answered by ATIJRTX 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has to do with the ease of ionization. If the acid or base ionizes readily, then it is strong. If the acid or base doesn't ionize, then it is weak. It all has to do with how stable the molecule or atom is in it's state of ionization.
The strong acids and bases tend to lose or gain one electron to have completely paired/filled orbitals or outer electron shell.
H+ tends to be a positive ion because it's more stable when it loses an electron to have no electrons in the hydrogen atom, and therefore, a strong acid. OH- tends to be a negative ion because it's more stable when it gains an electron to fill the outer shell of the oxygen atom, and therefore, a strong base.
2006-12-19 06:26:53 · answer #3 · answered by ShoU 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The strength is measured in the Ph scale...
0-7 is acidic near 0 been a strongly acidic solution
7-14 is basic near 14 been a strongly basic solution
7 is a neutral solution
an acidic solution contains more unbonded (free) H- (hydrogen) atoms than OH- (hydroxyle) atoms and H2O molecules
a basic solotion contains more OH- (hydroxyle) molecules than H- and H2O molecules
A neutral solution contains a balanced amound of both and some bonded to make H2O
i hope i was clear and helpfull
2006-12-19 05:20:14 · answer #4 · answered by NikosBacacos 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A acid is termed as a strong one when it gives more number of hydrogen+ ion when dissociated.
lly A base is termed as a strong one when it gives more number of OH- ions
2006-12-21 14:32:03 · answer #5 · answered by star_aries 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A acid is termed as a strong one when it gives more number of hydrogen+ ion when dissociated.
lly A base is termed as a strong one when it gives more number of OH- ions
2006-12-19 05:20:44 · answer #6 · answered by sidd the devil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in a strong acid, nearly all the acid dissociate to form ions and weak acids only dissociates partially.
a strong base is almost completely dissocited when dissolved in water and weak base only dissociates partially :)
2006-12-19 05:16:43 · answer #7 · answered by pigley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ramu when ever we take acid with carbon in it it will always be a weak acid. all other acids are strong.
as for base, bases of 1st and 2nd period of periodic table are strong except for Be.
2006-12-19 12:20:54 · answer #8 · answered by SAM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
strong acid is which readily react with any base. eg: sulphuricacid
Weak acid which does not readily react with weak base. eg:aceicacid
same 4 base.
strong base:sodium hydroxide
weak base:sodium acetate
2006-12-19 05:21:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋