Strong and Weak Acids Flashcards
What can all acids do in solutions?
All acids can ionise (or dissociate) in solution.
What is produced when an acid dissociates in solution?
A hydrogen ion (H+).
e.g.
HCl → H+ + Cl-
How much do strong acids ionise in water?
Strong acids ionise almost completely in water, so a large proportion of the acid molecules dissociate to release H+ ions.
What pHs do strong acids tend to have?
0-2
What are examples of strong acids?
Sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids.
How much do weak acids ionise in solution?
Weak acids do not fully ionise in solution, so only a small proportion of the acid molecules dissociate to release H+ ions.
What pHs do weak acids tend to have?
2-6
What are examples of weak acids?
Ethanoic, citric and carbonic acids.
Is the ionisation of a weak acid reversible?
Yes
If the ionisation of a weak acid is reversible, what does this set up?
The ionisation of a weak acid is reversible, which sets up an equilibrium.
What direction is the equilibrium for the ionisation of a weak acid?
Since only a few of the acid particles release H+ ions, the equilibrium lies well to the left.
What does acid strength tell you?
How strong or weak an acid is - what proportion of the acid molecules ionise in water.
What is the concentration of an acid?
How much acid there is in a litre (1 dm^3) of water.
It is basically how watered down the acid is.
Is an acid with a large number of acid molecules compared to the volume of water concentrated, or dilute?
Concentrated.
Is an acid with a small number of acid molecules compared to the volume of water concentrated, or dilute?
Dilute.
