Respuesta :
The strength of an acid and a base is determined by how completely they dissociate in water.
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Strong acids (like stomach acid) break down or dissociate in water. Weak acids maintains their protons in water.
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Strong acids (like stomach acid) break down or dissociate in water. Weak acids maintains their protons in water.
Explanation:
- If an acid is strong in nature then upon dissolving in water it will completely dissociate into ions.
For example, HCl is a strong acid and when we dissolve it in water then it will dissociate into hydrogen ([tex]H^{+}[/tex]) and chlorine ([tex]Cl^{-}[/tex]) ions.
[tex]HCl + H_{2}O \rightarrow H^{+} + Cl^{-}[/tex]
- And, if an acid is weak in nature then it will partially dissociate into ions.
For example, acetic acid is a weak acid and it will dissociate as follows when dissolved in water.
[tex]CH_{3}COOH + H_{2}O \rightleftharpoons CH_{3}COO^{-} + H^{+}[/tex]
- Similarly, if a base is strong in nature then it will completely dissociate into ions.
For example, NaOH is a strong base and when it is added to water it will dissociate as follows.
[tex]NaOH + H_{2}O \rightarrow Na^{+} + OH^{-}[/tex]
- And, when a base is weak in nature then it will partially dissociate upon dissolution in water.
For example, ammonia is a weak base and it will dissociate as follows when added to water.
[tex]NH_{3} + H_{2}O \rightleftharpoons NH^{+}_{4} + OH^{-}[/tex]
