Common acids

These strong acids completely ionize in aqueous solutions. The molecule population completely separates into protons and anions. This means 1000 molecules of one of these acids will separate into 1000 protons and 1000 anions leaving no acid molecules intact.

Common strong acids

Formula

Name

Maximum concentration of a saturated solution in Moles/ Liter

HClO4	Perchloric acid	12 M
H2SO4	Sulfuric acid (oil of vitriol)	18 M
HCl	Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid)	12 M
HBr	Hydrobromic acid	9 M
HI	Hydroiodic acid	8 M
HNO3	Nitric acid	16 M

Notice that a saturated solution will have different strength for each acid. The solubility depends on the nature of the acid and how it interacts with water.

These weak acids only partialy ionize in aqueous solutions. Only some molecules in the molecule population separate into protons and anions. This means out of 1000 molecules of one of these acids only some separate into protons and anions leaving most of the acid molecules intact. A weak acid that only ionizes 10% will have 90% remain intact. In a population of 1,000 molecules, 900 will reamin intact in anequilibrium mixture and 100 will have ionized.

Common strong acids

Formula

Name

Maximum concentration in a saturated solution in Moles/ Liter

HNO2	Nitrous acid	?
H2SO3	Sulfurous acid	?
HF	hydrofluoric acid	32 M
CH3COOH or HC2H3O2	acetic acid	17 M (pure acetic acid)

Notice that a saturated solution will have different strength for each acid. The solubility depends on the nature of the acid and how it interacts with water.