1. Module 8

1.11. Page 4

Lesson 2

Module 8—Acid-Base Equilibrium

Lesson Summary

 

In Lesson 2 you considered the following question:

  • How is knowledge of equilibrium used to explain the differences in acid strength?

Acids can be classified as either strong or weak as a result of their ionization, which produces hydronium ions. Strong acids ionize completely. You can consider the concentration of hydronium ions that results from a strong acid’s ionization to be equal to the initial concentration of the acid present in the solution. Weak acids ionize to a small extent. In the case of weak acids, the extent of ionization must be determined or known in order to predict the resulting concentration of hydronium ions.

 

Knowledge of equilibrium allows for a description of the ionization of strong and weak acids and for a calculation of the acid’s percentage ionization. In Lesson 5 you will further study the equilibrium of strong and weak acids using the equilibrium lab and the ionization constant for acids.