A strong acid differs from a weak
acid only in terms of the extent of ionization. The extent
of ionization measures the fraction of molecules that
ionize. a. A strong acid is dissociates or
ionizes 100% to form H3O1+
and an anion. This means if there were 100 HI
molecules at the begining of the solution process, then at
equilibrium there would be "zero" HI molecules and 100
H3O1+
and 100 I1- anions. b. A strong base is a substance
that is essentially completely protonated, they accept
protons more readily than other molecules. The hydroxide ion
is considered to be a strong base. c. A weak acid is only partially
ionized so that the majority of acid molecules or ions are
still intact. This means when the percent ionization is 4%,
if there were 100 HF molecules at the begining of the
solution process, then at equilibrium there would be "96" HF
molecules and 4 H3O1+
and 4 F1- anions. d. A weak base is only partially
protonated so that the majority of base molecules or ions
are intact.
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