Strong and Weak Acids and Bases

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Ionization Noun

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[ahy-uh-nuh-zey-shuhn]

Back

Ionization

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The process where a substance separates or reacts to form ions when it is dissolved in a solvent like water.

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Example: When an ionic compound is put in water, it breaks apart into positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, a process called ionization or dissociation.

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Strong Acid Noun

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[strong as-id]

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Strong Acid

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An acid that completely ionizes in an aqueous solution to form hydronium ions, leaving no un-ionized molecules.

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Example: This diagram shows a strong acid (HCl) in water, where it completely breaks apart (dissociates) into separate hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl-).

Front

Hydronium ion Noun

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[hahy-droh-nee-uhm ahy-on]

Back

Hydronium ion

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The cation H3O+, which is formed when an acid donates a proton (H+) to a water molecule (H2O).

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Example: A water molecule (H₂O) combines with a proton (a hydrogen ion, H⁺) to form a positively charged hydronium ion (H₃O⁺).

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Strong Base Noun

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[strong beys]

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Strong Base

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A base that completely ionizes or dissociates in a solution to produce the maximum possible amount of hydroxide ions.

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Example: When a strong base like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is added to water, it completely splits apart (dissociates) into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH-).

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Hydroxide ion Noun

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[hahy-drok-sahyd ahy-on]

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Hydroxide ion

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The anion OH-, which consists of an oxygen and a hydrogen atom and gives aqueous solutions their basic properties.

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Example: This image shows the structure of a hydroxide ion (OH⁻) using a Lewis diagram and 3D models, highlighting its composition of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom.

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Weak Acid Noun

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[week as-id]

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Weak Acid

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An acid that ionizes only partially in a solution, resulting in an equilibrium between the acid and its ions.

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Example: This bar graph shows that a weak acid (HA) only partially breaks apart (dissociates) in a solution, with most of it remaining intact.

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Equilibrium arrow Noun

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[ee-kwuh-lib-ree-uhm ar-oh]

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Equilibrium arrow

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The symbol (⇌) used in a chemical equation to indicate that a reaction is reversible and exists in equilibrium.

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Example: This double arrow symbol, used in chemical equations, shows that a reaction is reversible, meaning it proceeds in both the forward and reverse directions.

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Acid Ionization Constant (Ka) Noun

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[as-id ahy-uh-nuh-zey-shuhn kon-stuhnt]

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Acid Ionization Constant (Ka)

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An equilibrium constant that measures the strength of a weak acid by indicating the extent of its ionization in water.

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Example: This image shows the formula for the acid ionization constant (Ka), which measures how much a weak acid, like acetic acid, breaks apart (dissociates) into ions in water.

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Weak Base Noun

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[week beys]

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Weak Base

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A base that reacts with water to produce hydroxide ions, but only to a small extent, favoring the reactants.

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Example: A weak base only partially separates (dissociates) in a solution, resulting in a mixture of both separated and unseparated particles.

Front

Base Ionization Constant (Kb) Noun

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[beys ahy-uh-nuh-zey-shuhn kon-stuhnt]

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Base Ionization Constant (Kb)

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An equilibrium constant that measures the strength of a weak base by indicating the extent of its reaction with water.

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Example: A weak base like ammonia (NH3) reacts with water (H2O) to form some ammonium (NH4+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions, but the reaction is reversible.