Acids and Base Equilibria

[AGaeta_2C]

What is the difference between strong acids/bases and weak ones in terms of calculating K?

[Ally Huang- 1F]

The equilibrium constants of strong acids and bases and weak acids and bases are calculated in the same way. It is still products over reactants and the products and reactants are raised to the power of their stoichiometric coefficient. Strong acids and bases will have a very large K value because there are way more products than reactants at equilibrium. Strong acids and bases usually fully dissociate. Weak acids and bases will have a small K because there are way more reactants than products at equilibrium.

[Giselle Littleton 1F]

Additionlly, a strong acid wil have a small pKa value and a strong base will have a small pKb value.

[Izzie Capra 2E]

Yes, and when working with weak acids and bases (Ka and Kb), you will most likely be working with an ICE table to determine concentrations and percent dissociation (since weak acids and bases don't fully dissociate in water).

[Miriam Villarreal 1J]

Strong acids have a High KA, however a small pKA meaning it dissociate more in water. In contrast, a weak acid is less likely to ionize and release a hydrogen ion, thus resulting in a less acidic solution. The same goes for a strong base in which they will have a high KB but a small pKB.