Strong and weak acids

• Strong acid


  Acid that ionizes completely, releasing all hydrogen ions
• Weak acid


  Acid that only partially ionizes, releasing some hydrogen ions
• pH is related to the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution
• An acid is a substance that forms aqueous solutions with a pH less than 7
• Acid ionization


  Acid splits or dissociates into its ions in aqueous solution
• Strong acids


  • Ionize completely, releasing all hydrogen ions
• Weak acids


  • Only partially ionize, releasing some hydrogen ions
• Reversible ionization of weak acids

  Equilibrium between undissociated and dissociated forms
• Acid strength is not the same as acid concentration
• As pH decreases


  Hydrogen ion concentration increases by a factor of 10
• Strong acid at any concentration


  Has a lower pH than a weak acid
• pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution
• Strong acid: An acid that completely dissociates into H+ ions when it is added to water.
• Weak acid: An acid that only partially dissociates into H+ ions when it is added to water.