Chem 11

Dr. Arno Papazyan

Santa Monica College

STRONG ACIDS
Completely ionized in water to give one proton per acid molecule
The acidic H in an acid is covalently bonded to the rest of the acid molecule. Therefore, it is
not guaranteed to dissociate from the acid (put another way, not all acid molecules in the
solution are guaranteed to ionize). But in the case of strong acids, practically all of the acid
molecules do ionize to give H+ and the anion of the acid.
HI
HBr
HCl
HClO3
HClO4
HNO3
H2SO4

H+(aq) + I-(aq)
H+(aq) + Br-(aq)
H+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
H+(aq) + ClO3-(aq)
H+(aq) + ClO4-(aq)
H+(aq) + NO3-(aq)
H+(aq) + HSO4-(aq) A second H+ comes from HSO4-, but HSO4- is a weak
acid and does not dissociate completely; so we dont get
2 protons from each H2SO4 when it is alone in water. On
average, we get more than 1, but less than 2. However,
the 2nd H+ will be taken fully by a strong base when it is
present in solution.

STRONG BASES
Completely ionized in water, giving one or more hydroxides per formula unit
Metal hydroxides are ionic compounds, and as such, they dissociate in water (ionic
compounds dont have the option to travel as molecules; they either stay in solid form, or
dissociate when dissolved). To the extent that a metal hydroxide dissolves in water, it fully
dissociates and acts as a strong base. However, the hydroxides of Group II (alkaline
earth) metals are only slightly soluble, so they cannot form strongly basic solutions even if
they are strong bases.
NaOH
KOH
LiOH
RbOH
CsOH
Ca(OH)2
Ba(OH)2
Sr(OH)2

Na+(aq) + OH-(aq)
K+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Li+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Rb+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Cs+(aq) + OH-(aq)
Ca2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) (but only slightly soluble)
Ba2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) (but only slightly soluble)
Sr2+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) (but only slightly soluble)

Chem 11

Dr. Arno Papazyan

Santa Monica College

WEAK ACIDS and BASES

Partially ionized in water
For the purposes of the course, acids that are not included under Strong Acids or
Strong Bases can be assumed to be weak, unless otherwise stated.
For the purposes of this course, the only weak base is ammonia (NH3). It is also different
from the other bases, which are in the form of metal hydroxides, bringing the hydroxide
ion with them. NH3 on the other hand, creates the hydroxide ion by reacting with water:
NH3 (aq) + H2O (l) NH4+ (aq) + OH- (aq)
Since it is a weak base, the reaction is not complete, and most of the ammonia molecules
dissolved in water remain as NH3 molecules. Remember that ammonia is a covalent
compound, and as such is not guaranteed to fully ionize when dissolved in water (as
opposed to ionic compounds, which do). Not surprisingly, it does not fully ionize and is a
weak base.

Note:
Strong acids and bases are strong electrolytes, while weak acids and bases are weak
electrolytes.
Salts formed as a result of acid-base reactions, being ionic compounds, fully dissociate
(ionize) in water. As such they are strong electrolytes. However, if a salt is not soluble or
only slightly soluble in water, their aqueous solution will contain very few ions, and will not
be good conductors of electricity. If we want to light a bulb when the electricity is passing
through an electrolyte solution, we not only need a strong electrolyte, but we need it in high
enough concentration. For example, if a precipitation reaction removes most or all of the
ions from the solution, not much current will pass through the solution.