Strong/Weak Acids and Bases

[SohelaBedi1E]

Can someone please explain how I can quickly identify if something is a strong/weak acid/base? Is there something specific to memorize or is there a way to judge based on the elements?

[Cassidy Sadowski 3E]

There is a table to reference with a list of stong acids and bases to memorize within our textbook. Knowing these species will help identify strong acids/bases and the rest we can generally assume are weak or the question will tell us.

[Joah Lee]

The strong acids are

HCl
HBr
HI
(these 3 are Group 17 ions)
HClO
H2SO4
HNO3

Strong bases are: (these are group 1 and 2 hydroxides)
LiOH
NaOH
KOH
RbOH
CsOH
Ca(OH) 2
Sr(OH) 2

[205670593 1I]

For strong acids and bases you are mostly going to have to memorize specific ones and you can generally assume the rest are weak. A UA also mentioned that if you are given the Ka for an acid, this can generally be a sign that it is weak since the Ka doesn't really matter for a strong acid because it will fully dissociate.

[yesmal1J]

Strong acids/bases have high K and small pK values while weak acids/bases have very small K values and large pK values.

[yvette nouneh]

Often times, you will have to memorize a list of weak acids and bases. These are located in our textbook. If you are given a Ka value, it is most likely that this value will be weak. Additionally, the "a" in Ka signals an acid, therefore you would know that the molecule that you are assessing is an acid. A high Ka value would signify a strong acid, while a low Ka value would signify a weak acid. Inversely, a high pKa value would signify a weak acid, while a low pKa value would signify a strong acid.

[Ashlynn_Chen_3H]

The quickest way to identify a strong acid or a strong base is through memorization. Memorizing those will be very helpful. But sometimes if they don't give you the molecular formula, you can also tell if it's a strong acid or base by its Ka and pKa value. Strong acids and bases have a large Ka value and a small pKa value (vice versa for weak acids/bases).

[305693278]

One way I was able to memorize strong bases was looking at the periodic table and going from Li down to Cs (group 1) then Ca to Sb (group two) and knowing that any of those with hydroxide (OH) or oxide (O) are strong bases!

[Jonathan Choe 3D]

Strong acids/bases have high K and small pK values while weak acids/bases have very small K values and large pK values.

[Amber1L]

There is a list of all strong acids and all strong bases. Any acids/bases that do not follow under this list are considered weak. hope this helps!