Strong Acid
Definition
A strong acid is a substance that completely ionizes (breaks down) into its ions in water. This means it donates all of its hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water.
Analogy
Think of a strong acid like a bag of popcorn in the microwave. When you heat it up, all the kernels pop - none are left unpopped. Similarly, when you dissolve a strong acid in water, all the molecules break apart into their ions.
Related terms
Bronsted-Lowry Acid: An acid according to Bronsted-Lowry theory is any substance that can donate a proton (H+).
Hydronium Ion (H3O+): The ion formed from water gaining a hydrogen ion (H+) from an acid.
pH Scale: A measure of how acidic or basic a solution is, based on its concentration of hydronium ions.
"Strong Acid" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (1)
- Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid?
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