Strong and Weak Acids

In aqueous solutions, acid molecules ionise (split) and release H+.

- Strong acids fully ionise in aqueous solutions

We can tell as the arrow goes in one direction only

- Weak acids partially ionise in aqueous solutions

We can tell as the arrow goes both ways (reversible reaction)

Weak acids

Carbonic acid

Ethanoic acid

Citric acid

The pH scales gives us an idea of the concentration of hydrogen ions.

As the pH scale decreases by one unit, the concentration of hydrogen ions increases by 10 times (order of magnitude)

- Strong acids have a lower pH than weak acids for a given concentration

The concentration of an acid tells us the amount of acid molecules in a given volume of solution

A dilute acid will have fewer acid molecules in a given volume than a concentrated aid even if the strength is the same