Classification of acids and bases in chemistry depends on the ionization force of these substances in aqueous medium. A) Yes: An acid and a base are strong when they are completely ionized, that is, in the ionization process they are completely transformed into cations or positive ions and into anions or negative ions.
On the other hand, an acid and a base are weak when they are partially ionized in water, that is, in solution, there will be a proportion of cations, another proportion of anions and another proportion of undissociated molecules. Let’s check below what is the difference between strong and weak acids and bases.
Difference between Strong and Weak Acids and Bases
Strong Acids and Bases
An acid or a base is strong when they dissociate completely in an aqueous medium, that is, the ionization process is complete and the solution will contain the same concentration of anions as cations.
Examples of Strong Acids and their Formulas
Strong Acids Formula
Hydrochloric acid: HCl
Sulfuric acid: H 2 SO 4
Nitric acid: HNO 3
Hydrobromic acid: HBr
Perchloric acid: HClO 4
Chromic acid: H 2 CrO 4
Tetrafluroboric acid: HBF 4
Examples of Strong bases and their Formulas
Strong base Formula
Sodium hydroxide NaOH
Lithium hydroxide LiOH
Potassium hydroxide KOH
Rubidium hydroxide RbOH
Cesium hydroxide CsOH
Calcium hydroxide Ca (OH) 2
Barium hydroxide Ba (OH) 2
Strontium hydroxide Sr (OH) 2
Aluminum hydroxide Al (OH) 3
Weak Acids and Bases
An acid or a base is weak when it is partially ionized in aqueous solution, that is, non-ionized ions and molecules are found in the solution.
Examples of Weak Acids with their Formula and Acid ionization constant K a
Weak acid Formula Lonization constant
Formic acid H 2 CO 2 1.77 x 10 -4
Acetic acid H 3 CCOH 1.75 x 10 -5
Hydrocyanic acid HOCN 3.30 x 10 -4
Hydrogen cyanide HCN 6.20 x 10 -10
Hypochlorous acid HOCl 3.50 x 10 -8
Nitrous acid HNO 2 4.00 x 10 -4
Lactic acid HC 3 H 5 O 3 1.40 x 10 -4
Carbonic acid H 2 CO 3 4.30 x 10 -7
5.60 x 10 -11
Boric acid H 3 BO 3 1.80 x 10 -13
3.00 x 10 -14
Examples of Weak bases with their Formula and Basic Ionization Constant K b
Weak base Formula Ionization constant
Ammonia NH 3 1.75 x 10 -5
Methylamine CH 3 NH 2 4.38 x 10 -4
Ethylamine C 2 H 5 NH 2 5.60 x 10 -4
Aniline C 6 H 5 NH 2 3.80 x 10 -10
Pyridine C 5 H 5 N 1.70 x 10 -9
Benzylamine C 7 H 9 N 2.20 x 10 -5
Sodium bicarbonate NaHCO 2.00 x 10 -4
