What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid? Given an example of each.

Chemistry: Principles and Practice
3rd Edition
ISBN:9780534420123
Author:Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
Publisher:Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
Chapter15: Solutions Of Acids And Bases
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 15.22QE
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What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid? Given an example of each. What is the difference between a strong base and a weak base? Given an example of each. 

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A strong acid is an acid that is  almost completely dissociated in an aqueous solution. It is associated with high capacity to lose a proton, H+. In water, a strong acid loses one proton, which is taken up by water to form the hydronium ion: HA(aq) + H2O → H3O+(aq) + A(aq).

Weak acids are acids that do not gets completely dissociated in solution. The strength of a weak acid depends on how much it dissociates: the more it dissociates, the stronger the acid.

 

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