Strong vs Weak Acids

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haleyervin7
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

Strong vs Weak Acids

Postby haleyervin7 » Wed Jan 23, 2019 11:08 pm

Why do solutions of weak acids have higher pH values than solutions of strong acids at the
same concentration?

Anusha 1H
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

Re: Strong vs Weak Acids

Postby Anusha 1H » Wed Jan 23, 2019 11:23 pm

The pH value is based on the amount of hydronium ions in the solution.
Because we assume that strong acids are fully deprotonated in solution, this means that there is a much higher concentration of H+ ions in the solution than in weak acids, which leads to a lower pH value.

Basically, the higher the H+ concentration, the lower the pH

Chloe Thorpe 1J
Posts: 77
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

Re: Strong vs Weak Acids

Postby Chloe Thorpe 1J » Wed Jan 23, 2019 11:45 pm

Like the other answer said, stronger acids have higher concentrations of H+, which leads to a lower pH (more acidic). A weak acid will not fully ionize, so there will be less H+ atoms in solution (lower [H+] = higher pH = less acidic).


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