Strong/Weak Acids and Bases

HCl

HCl

Strong acid

HBr

Strong acid

HI

Strong acid

H2SO4

Strong acid

HClO4

Strong acid

HClO3

Strong acid

HF

Weak acid

HC2H3O2

Weak acid

H3PO4

Weak acid

H2CO3

Weak acid

HCN

Weak acid

HClO2

Weak acid

HClO

Weak acid

What do strong acids do in reactions?

Go to completion

What do weak acids do in reactions?

Go to equilibrium.

LiOH

Strong base

NaOH

Strong base

KOH

Strong base

HNO3

Strong acid

PbOH

Strong base

Mg(OH)2

Strong base

Ca(OH)2

Strong base

Besides the special acids like HCl or HF, how can you tell the difference between a strong or weak acid?

Strong acids have at least 2 or more oxygens than hydrogens.

NH3

Weak base

CH3NH2

Weak base

CH3Cl2NH3

Weak base

How do you tell if a base is weak?

It has nitrogen or carbon in it.