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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Chemistry Olympiad and other competitions => Topic started by: duma on November 04, 2014, 06:58:44 PM

Title: strong acid determination using Ka concepts
Post by: duma on November 04, 2014, 06:58:44 PM

Here is what I understand of the concept.


The larger the Ka value, the strong the acid.

So acid with Ka of 3.9 x 10^-3 is weaker than acid with Ka of 3.9 x 10^-2

The Ka values sort of throw me off.

Would like to confirm my understanding of this concept.


Thanks

Title: Re: strong acid determination using Ka concepts
Post by: Borek on November 05, 2014, 03:41:43 AM

Your understanding is OK.

Title: Re: strong acid determination using Ka concepts
Post by: unsu on December 02, 2014, 01:23:55 AM

Also, the Shriver/Atkins textbook defines strong acids as those with pKa<0, or Ka > 1 (usually Ka >>1)
Weak acids are those with pKa>0, or Ka < 1 (usually Ka<<1)

The relative strength can be estimated by comparing Ka's