How is a strong acid different from a weak acid?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 16, 2017

Acid strength is differentiated by the position of the equilibrium........

Explanation:

For the general acid, #HX#, in water, we write the equilibrium in the following way:

#HX(aq) +H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons H_3O^(+) + X^-#

For strong acids, #HX(X!=F), H_2SO_4, HNO_3,HClO_4# this equilibrium lies strongly towards the right, and their solutions are stoichiometric in #H_3O^+#. For weaker acids, #HF, HOAc, NH_4^+#, the equilibrium lies towards the left.

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