Strengths of Acids and Bases

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Electrical Conductivity Noun

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[uh-lek-tri-kuhl kon-duhk-tiv-i-tee]

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Electrical Conductivity

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A measure of a solution's ability to conduct electricity, which is dependent on the concentration of ions present.

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Example: This diagram shows an ionic solid dissolving in water, breaking apart into free-moving positive (cations) and negative (anions) ions, which allows the solution to conduct electricity.

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Strong Acid Noun

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[strawng as-id]

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Strong Acid

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An acid that ionizes completely in an aqueous solution, producing the maximum possible number of hydrogen ions.

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

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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 dilute aqueous solution, resulting in an equilibrium mixture of molecules and ions.

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Example: This diagram shows a weak acid (HCN) in water, where most molecules stay intact and only a few release their hydrogen ions (dissociate).

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Ionize Verb

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[ahy-uh-nahyz]

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Ionize

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The process by which a neutral atom or molecule is converted into a charged ion, typically by reacting with a solvent.

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Example: When an ionic compound like salt (NaCl) is added to water, its crystal structure breaks apart, releasing free-moving positive (Na+) and negative (Cl-) ions.

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Conjugate Acid Noun

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[kon-juh-git as-id]

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Conjugate Acid

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The chemical species that is formed when a Brønsted-Lowry base accepts a proton during a chemical reaction.

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Example: This diagram shows a base (ammonia, NH3) accepting a hydrogen ion from an acid (water, H2O) to become its conjugate acid (ammonium, NH4+).

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Conjugate Base Noun

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[kon-juh-git beys]

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Conjugate Base

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The chemical species that remains after a Brønsted-Lowry acid has donated a proton during a chemical reaction.

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Example: This diagram shows that when an acid (HCl) gives away a proton, the particle that is left over (Cl⁻) is called the conjugate base.

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Acid Ionization Constant (Ka) Noun

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

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Acid Ionization Constant (Ka)

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The value of the equilibrium constant for the ionization of a weak acid, used as a quantitative measure of acid strength.

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Example: This image shows the chemical reaction for a generic acid (HA) donating a proton (H+) and the mathematical formula used to calculate its acid ionization constant (Ka).

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Strong Base Noun

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[strawng beys]

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Strong Base

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A base that dissociates entirely into metal ions and hydroxide ions when dissolved in an aqueous solution.

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Example: A strong base like Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) completely splits apart, or dissociates, in water, releasing a high concentration of hydroxide (OH-) ions.

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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 ionizes only partially in a dilute aqueous solution to form an equilibrium mixture with its conjugate acid.

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Example: This diagram shows a weak base in solution, where most molecules remain undissociated (paired) and only a few separate into ions, unlike strong bases.

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Base Ionization Constant (Kb) Noun

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

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Base Ionization Constant (Kb)

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The value of the equilibrium constant for the ionization of a weak base, used as a quantitative measure of base strength.

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Example: A base (B) becomes stronger by taking a particle (H+) from water. The Kb formula is a way to measure how strong that base is.