Where is the Border Line between Strong Acids and Weak Acids?

Toratane Munegumi^1,

¹Department of Science Education, Naruto University of Education, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan

Cite this paper

Toratane Munegumi. Where is the Border Line between Strong Acids and Weak Acids?. World Journal of Chemical Education. 2013; 1(1):12-16. doi: 10.12691/WJCE-1-1-4

Abstract

The strength of an acid is generally discussed as a unique feature of the acid itself according to its chemical structure. Strong acids have a lower pK_a value, and weak acids have a higher one. In the classrooms of high schools and universities, we sometimes use the technical terms “strong acid” and “weak acid”. However, there are some acids for which it is very difficult to say, from their pK_a values, whether they are strong or weak. This research addresses the distinction between strong acids and weak acids, in a restricted initial concentration of acids, to provide a clear distinction between strong acids and weak acids.

Keywords

strong acid, weak acid, pK_a, degree of dissociation

Copyright

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