C4 - Strong and Weak Acids

What do all acids produce in aqueous solution?

Hydrogen ions (H+).

What does aqueous mean?

Dissolved in water.

What does ionization of an acid mean?

When an acid molecule splits to release hydrogen ions (H+).

What is a strong acid?

An acid that fully ionizes in aqueous solution (all molecules release H+).

Give 3 examples of strong acids.

Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid.

What is a weak acid?

An acid that only partially ionizes in aqueous solution (only some molecules release H+).

What type of arrow is used in equations for strong acids?

A single (→) arrow, showing complete ionization.

What type of arrow is used in equations for weak acids?

A reversible (⇌) arrow, showing partial ionization.

Give 3 examples of weak acids.

Carbonic acid, ethanoic acid, citric acid.

How do strong and weak acids differ in terms of pH?

Strong acids have a lower pH than weak acids of the same concentration.

Why do strong acids have a lower pH than weak acids?

Because they fully ionize, producing a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+).

What happens to hydrogen ion concentration when pH decreases by 1?

It increases by a factor of 10 (10 times greater).

What happens to hydrogen ion concentration when pH decreases by 2?

It increases by a factor of 100 (100 times greater).

What do scientists call a 10 times difference in hydrogen ion concentration?

One order of magnitude.

What do scientists call a 100 times difference in hydrogen ion concentration?

Two orders of magnitude.

What does the concentration of an acid mean?

The amount of acid molecules in a given volume of solution.

What is a dilute acid?

An acid with relatively few acid molecules in a given volume.

What is a concentrated acid?

An acid with many acid molecules in a given volume.

What is the difference between strength and concentration of an acid?

Strength refers to whether the acid fully or partially ionizes; concentration refers to how many acid molecules are present in a given volume.